Pianotech

Your process of repairing the piano is as I would proceed; however, since the joint is one that will "never" be wanted to separate again, I would use a wood glue.  When Clamping, I would position the clamps so as to be able to drill out the points where you want to put bolts from front to back and while the glue is still setting, install the bolts to apply even more pressure on the glue joint.

 

I have glued a couple of backs in my 40+ years of servicing, one on a player, and the other ???.  In both cases I did not have an air pressure tank at my disposal, so I cleaned any items from the separation I could, clamped the back together, drilled out to install the bolts.  Then loosened the clamps to get the wood glue in the joints, tightened the clamps and installed the bolts.  Let that sit for at least 24 hours and then put the piano back together.   I did release the tension on the strings BEFORE I took the action out just in case the support of the action brackets was keeping the plate from cracking in two.

 

Ken Gerler

 

Gerler Piano & Organ Service
12425 Parkwood Lane
Florissant, MO 63033-4662
kenneth.gerler@prodigy.net