Making the Soundboard for opus IV

Here, Amicus, my worthy apprentice, checks the glue joint between two soundboard planks.

1806 Broadwood Grand Fortepiano Restoration

At long last, my 1806 Broadwood has entered my workshop for restoration.

Making the Soundboard

Having re-sawed several 1"x4"x6' fir boards into 1/8"x4"x6' planks, I have begun the process of gluing them together to form the soundboard.  Once completed, it will be cut to fit in the case, flush with the inner rim and belly rail, and planed at various points between the 8' bridge and hitch pin rail.

Steaming the Bridge

While this method might not appear to be as refined or aesthetically pleasing as the one  we would like to imagine Taskin or Ruckers employed to steam their 8' bridges, the combination of a large steamer pot, clear plastic hose, a few clamps and a 5' length of PVC pipe, atop my kitchen gas stove, is serving the purpose quite nicely.