Vinegar...was "coming apart..."

[William Benjamin]

Joe,

 

I have put vinegar on hide glue and had it soften it to the point that I
could take things apart.  At the Piano Hospital we had many sets of loose
upright hammers and turning the action up side down and applying vinegar,
the next day they would be tight.  Also taking care of the piano threw the
years, it did hold.  If you get a chance, call Don Mitchell or Ken Serviss.

 

William

 

 

 

PIANO BOUTIQUE

William Benjamin

Piano Tuner Extraordinaire

 <http://www.pianoboutique.biz> www.pianoboutique.biz

The tuner alone,

preserves the tone.

 

  _____  

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Joseph Garrett
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 12:02 AM
To: pianotech
Subject: Vinegar...was "coming apart..."

 

William B said: "I seem to remember a thread about a faster whippen or a new
vertical with a much better grand type feel. I would appreciate any
information on this." 

 

William,

That, IMHO, will simply Stink up the Place and accomplish nothing. Contrary
to common thought, Vinegar does not do a thing to breaking down Hide glue!
If you were using Glacial Acidic Acid, which is really STRONG version of
Vinegar, it would not do a darned thing. I've experimented with it and found
that to be so. As there is quite a lot of water in vinegar, that is the one
thing that will really attack Hide Glue. I've even tried Papaya extract,
which was touted as "killer" of Hide Glue. That didn't work either!

The best thing would be a 50-50 solution of alcohol. The alcohol will "wick"
into the wood and bring the water with it, thereby softening the Hide Glue.

Regards,

  

Joseph Garrett, R.P.T.

Captain, Tool Police

 

 

Bill Peterson former So.Bay Chapter

 

Bill, 

How come it's "Former"?<G> Did we lose you?

 

 

 

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