Dave Stahl had a thread a while back about unique tools and repairs. It is back on page 5 so I thought best to let it go and post this as a new thread.

I was in contact with some techs in France recently and I was sent this picture for a repair.

So you have a loose rib under the board and no way of getting a wedge or a clamp or anything in there.

Here is a great way to get the rib back into contact with the soundboard. You take an old bicycle tube…the piece with the air nozzle still in place, tie a knot on each end and then start pumping…..

http://picasaweb.google.com/silverwoodpi...903865890775266

It works. I use wheelbarrow innertubes. Just go easy. It's astonishing what pressure they will produce!

I've had only one opportunity to use the Jenson method, but IT WORKS!!!! David wrote about this some months ago, and a Chickering grand immediately came to mind. His advice to go easy on the air pressure is dead on!!!! Thanks again David. I keep the wheelbarrow innertube and portable air compressor handy at all times, just waiting for another opportunity to do it again.

It's just nifty. 'Glad it worked for you Ron. I actually adapted the idea from an old auto-body guy who used them to take dents out of doors and pickup end gates.

I guess nothing's really original.

Yes, it is. I now know of two technicians that have popped boards loose along the bellyrail while doing repairs this way. There is generally a reason why that rib joint came loose. Be careful in there.

ddf

I was contacted to inspect a Baldwin upright in a church. The soundboard had came detach at the upper bass corner. I contacted Baldwin inquiring how I should fix this. Kent Webb was still at Baldwin at this time and he suggested using an inner tube between the plate and board. Next trip to the church I removed the action, worked glue in the joint that needed repair and pump up the inner tube. Went around back of the piano to inspect. I was amaze how well it work. I figure I would add just a little bit more air and then the tube blew. What a noise, with the action out. The minister came running to the sanctuary thinking it was the second coming.
I had to make a quick trip to get another tube and finish the job with less air pressure.

Now that's a nice idea. We use pnuematic clamps to glue ribs onto soundboards, so it should have occurred to me to do this. Maybe I'll use this someday. Thanks for posting.

M&H uses fire hose to secure their ribs to the board at the factory...will see if i can find a picture

Yea, easy does it!!!

My original use of the method was on an older grand in a home. There was a section of the soundboard on either side of a crack that wouldn't contact a couple ribs for gluing that was way back under the plate. I tried a series of wedges, but couldn't work back in the dim recesses under the plate.

I set up a trial jig made of wood in my shop, and applied air via my compressor. The pressure broke my jig pronto! That's when I went to using a small bicycle-type foot pump. I'm sure there are precision metering valves for compressors. I just don't have one, so I went with the manual pump.

I had no idea this thread was a re-run. Oh well, I must have missed the posting earlier from you David.
Further you should be able to purchase a regulator with a gauge for your compressor. They only take a few minutes to install.

Ah, ... my face is a bit red. I have a regulator. I use it to get the right pressure for my air nailers and staplers. 'Just never thought to run it down to bicycle pump territory. Dohhh!

Well dang, I bought that little air compressor when I could have used my handy dandy bicycle tire pump. Didnt even think about using it, but I can see where control of the pressure is much easier. This thread was definitely worth re-addressing. David my hat is still off to you.
This idea is brilliant...absolutely brilliant!!!!!

I've been a bicycle enthusiast for a long time now, so I'm going to offer some pump info.

I have most inflation devices known to humanity, from a compressor to road bike frame pumps, mountain bike frame pumps, floor pumps, and CO2 cartridges.

I would probably choose a road bike frame pump for this application, assuming I could fit the chuck on the valve.

Most high end bikes use a presta valve, which is smaller in diameter than a schrader valve used on car tires and low end bikes. If you buy a pump in a bike store, make sure it will convert from presta to schrader.

If you have a floor pump, most likely the hose is too short to reach the valve for this job. Most bike floor pumps use a 3/16" ID hose. You can get "fuel line hose" at a home building supply store by the foot, and make a hose long enough to reach from the floor to the repair site. Don't forget the clamps.

I'm coming out of the closet after being a long time lurker, so please go easy on me.

Thanks, dan

Former lurkers are always welcome, Dan. I suppose I can say that. There are lots of folks who have posted here much longer than I have.

I inherited my hand pump. Actually, I think it was originally part of a road emergency kit. It was something that sat on the ground and was operated by foot. You're right. The hose was a bit short so I just held it in my hands and operated it that way.

It worked. I just hope I never have to try to pump up a car tire with it. I'm afraid it would be an all night operation!