Cracked Keybed

[Terry L Jack]

Thank you to all who have responded. I think I will try to route out the key
bed if necessary.  How much does this crack affect the playability of the
piano and tuning stability if it is not moved? So far I have epoxied and
screwed the cracked area together until a better fix can be had.  Is it
necessary that it be repaired?

Thank you in advance,

Terry Jack
Asso Member
Eugene, OR chapter

----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Trout <btrout@desupernet.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2000 5:36 PM
Subject: Re: Cracked Keybed


> Hi Terry,
>
> I've had a couple of these to deal with over the last few years, never an
> Everett, but similar situations nonetheless.
>
> I tried glue, and screws and dowels and a bunch of different stuff.
> Usually, the leg is close enough to the edge of the keybed that it keeps
> breaking out again, or it's too difficult to get a proper amount of glue
> into the break without doing cosmetic damage... etc, etc...
>
> What has worked for me in the past is routing out a healthy section of
that
> corner of the keybed (bottom side) and gluing in a piece of pinblock
> material.  Usually, it can be done without any damage to the appearance
and
> for all practical purposes is a very solid and invisible repair.  You just
> have to be mindful of screws that might be holding the keyframe to the
> keybed and similar things that could do a number on your router bit.  It
is
> much easier if you can tilt the piano over on it's back to get to the
bottom
> of the keybed.
>
> (This is a little messy.  I've never tried it in someone's home, only in
the
> shop.  Routers tend to make a lot of flying wood chips.)
>
> There might be a few more options that might work.  The way it's broken
out
> can make a difference how it can be repaired.
>
> I'm looking forward to other suggestions as well.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Brian Trout
> Quarryville, PA
> btrout@desupernet.net
>