Rim Repair

[Delwin D Fandrich]

Frank,

I have to go along with Roger. These rims are made of "Select Hardwood," not the strongest
or the toughest material known to mankind. You really should use a genuine hardwood plug
-- maple, birch, etc. -- to add strength to the area and to distribute the load so that
this doesn't just happen again. I'd probably recommend something a bit larger -- like 3/8"
or so -- though. Even if you don't have a plug cutter yourself, surely there is someone in
your local chapter who could make a few of them for you. For a suitable fee, of course. If
you really can't come up with maple plugs, then you can resort to regular dowels. These
should be available from your local hardware store. If you use dowels, remember to orient
the grain in the same direction as the laminates, i.e., parallel to the outside edge of
the rim. Also, even though I am a fan of epoxy, this is one type of repair that I'd
probably use Titebond II on.

Regards.

Del

Frank Cahill wrote:

> Roger Jolly wrote:
> >
> > Hi Frank,
> >           Tape the surrounding area with PVC electrical tape, and ensure
> > that the tape is down tight with no air pockets, CA glue just will not
> > stick to this type of tape, if the polyester finish is hair line cracked it
> > will effect a fairly neat repair.  Use thin CA glue and clamp with two
> > smooth hard wood blocks, leave for several hours to cure.
> >   After repair is dried, drill out screw holes to accept 1/4" maple plug.
> > Epoxy plugs in the holes with 5min epoxy. Screws will be stronger in a plug
> > due to grain orientation, vs dowels.
> > Hope this helps.
> > Roger
> >
> >
> > >
> > Roger Jolly
> > Balwin Yamaha Piano Centres.
> > Saskatoon/Regina.
> > Canada.
>
> Thanks for the info.  Well I don't have any way to make plugs, like a
> drill press with a plug attachment.
>
> If I used hammer shanks to plug the hole, I understand the problem with
> grain orientation.  Would it be a waste of time to do it this way?
> Would I be inviting disaster?
>
> A local tech suggested just plugging the holes with trimed down shank
> wood and glue.  Then redrill after curing.
>
> I could always use the next screw size up, but then I would need to
> drill out hinge.
>
> Thank you,
> Frank