Indeed, I bow to your more in depth knowledge of their construction. :-) I've never seen a pinblock that didn't have at least a couple of laminations. But the cross section of piano I see in rural Indiana is admittedly pretty limited. But I do have a fair amount of experience with the CA. I'll stand by the recommendation: CA first to deep penetrate, then epoxy to fill the gaps. Knowing there are no laminations makes it even more important, IMHO, to use the CA, so it will soak and support the inadequate construction. Epoxy just will not go into the cellular structure of the wood like CA will, unless you thin it first, then you lose strength as you know. Epoxy bonds surface to surface. That's what Dean would do, which is not always the right thing. Often wrong, never in doubt. Dean Dean W May (812) 235-5272 voice and text PianoRebuilders.com (888) DEAN-MAY Terre Haute IN 47802 -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Joseph Garrett Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2012 8:26 PM To: pianotech Subject: [pianotech] English Overdamper piano pinblocks Dean May said: "I think along the same lines as Doug here. Pin blocks are cross laminated, so you are seeing a separation of a butt joint of the top layer, which is essentially what that birds eye is, the top layer of the pin block. I wouldn't worry about it unless you are experiencing loose pins in the affected areas. Unlike Joe, I would use thin CA first. No way will epoxy penetrate to the places where the thin CA can get. Then if there are any appreciable gaps (hard to tell from the picture) fill them up with epoxy. " Dean, Your knowledge of these pianos is, obviously, limited, at best.<G> They are not "cross laminated"!! If you'd ever taken one of those apart, down to the back posts, cross members and actual pin block, you would know what is really happening in there. Obviously you have not done that. FYI, the pinblocks on the majority of them is simply uniform sized blocks of European Beech, butt jointed and then a thin veneer on the front and a flat sawn board, of dubious ilk, on the back! The glue joints fail when the piano is taken out of the high humidity/poor heating systemed British households of that period of time, and put into far dryer atmospheres! Most who have been to my shop, have seen my Lawn Art, that consists of such pianos sitting out in the elements. A few years of Oregon liquid sunshine, disassembles them to the point of examination and enlightenment.<G> For all who have responded, as you have, I'd advise getting your facts straight before jumping on the Iknow Iknow band wagon.<G> As for the abilities of CA glue, you needs to do you homework, imo. Thanks for listening. Joe Joe Garrett, R.P.T. Captain of the Tool Police Squares R I ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2441/5373 - Release Date: 11/04/12
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