Soundboard installation with hide glue

[Farrell]

Well, cold hide glue is an "other glue" and will clean up just as well as 
hot hide glue, and as David points out has a longer working time, is easier 
to work with, does't require temperature control of surfaces or 
environments, and dries just as hard.

Some folks suggest that Titebond-type glue joints are nearly as easy to 
clean up after dissasembly. I don't agree - I find cleanup more difficult - 
I think we have some common ground there, and there are many places I won't 
use Titebond - like on key bushings. However, key bushings are replace far 
more frequently replaced than soundboards. And if one is installing a 
soundboard that shouldn't self-destruct within ten years, I think that one 
can argue that the ease of working with Titebond (Extend) for soundboard 
installation and the excellent joint it produces, balances any increase work 
involved 100 years from now (or more?) when the piano might need a new 
soundboard.

I used Titebond Extend on the last soundboard I installed. I might go back 
to cold hide glue on the next one. I guess it will just depend on which way 
the wind is blowing.....

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Berley Antoine Firmin II" <firmin1 at bellsouth.net>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 8:41 AM
Subject: Re: Soundboard installation with hide glue


> David, you say:
>
> "I guess my question is why?  There are other glues that have longer 
> working
> time, are easier to work with, don't require temperature control of 
> surfaces
> or environments, are stronger, dry just as hard or harder, and I don't 
> think
> energy loss at the glue joint is an issue.  Of course they aren't
> "traditional" but then, who cares.   "
>
> Well, the next person who tries to remove the soundboard will care....a 
> lot!
>
> I try to think of a future restorer when I work on things. I can't tell 
> you how many times I have cursed someone that used white or yellow glue on 
> parts that would have to be separated in the future.
>
> Berley
>