Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > September 1997 > 1997.09.26 > 13Prev  Next


Solid Poplar, not Plywood, for Restorations
By Craig Brougher

I seldom use plywood for anything -- and fir plywood for absolutely
nothing in player work.

You would find a lot of poplar plywood in player components, from the
bottom boards of the Duo-Art expression boxes, to the pumps and
reservoirs of upright player pianos.  You would never find lumber yard
quality fir plywood in anything like a player piano.  However, today,
too many rebuilders are misusing it in applications like the bottoms of
pianos, etc.

Despite its strength, plywood is not waterproof unless it happens to
be made to marine specs.  But marine plywood must be sealed, or one
lamination will still expand on top of another and wrinkle up and crack.
Besides, after steaming, the wood is never the same.  It is too porous and
grainy in my opinion, so you have to buy finished plywood, and because of
its tremendous expense, particularly in 1" thick sheets, you don't find it
on these replacement piano bottom boards.  Then the voids mentioned by
D. L. Bullock cannot be anticipated, so when replacing the pedals and
heavy equipment, pumps, and so forth, the plywood is often discovered not
to be able to hold screws at those critical places where you had counted
on it!  You'll definitely sit there, wondering what you are going to do
next!

I use solid poplar for most of these applications.  It looks worlds
better than plywood, finishes beautifully, holds screws wonderfully.
Like any other wood, you have to pick poplar carefully.  A bottom board
made from quality poplar is authentic and original.  You can buy 1-inch
thick poplar here, and butt-glue a wide plank with hot hide glue, then
plane it down, and it becomes a factory job.  That's easy, fast, and
sure, because you are not in for any surprises later, and neither are
your customers.

As far as holding screws in end grain, no wood -- not even plywood --
is satisfactory for that.  For end grain, a cross dowel is the best
solution.  That doesn't take a lot of time.  But if you want to do it
even faster, soak the screw hole with super glue and spray with the
liquid hardener after the glue has soaked in.  You'll think you're
screwing into iron!

Craig Brougher


(Message sent Fri 26 Sep 1997, 17:33:25 GMT, from time zone GMT.)

Key Words in Subject:  not, Plywood, Poplar, Restorations, Solid

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page