Anyone deal with a front rail that has split?

[vanceinatlance]

I was not able to find anything here so I'll throw out the question. I have a new project piano that the front rail has somehow split all the way across the rail.  I am going to attempt to clamp glue and screw the rail back together. So far the fix appears to have worked.
I am not sure how this damage may have happened, but there appears to be liquid damage to the front left of the piano. I don't see any obvious trauma to the front of the piano. I am thinking maybe the liquid caused the rail to split and it followed the grain of the wood all the way to the other side?
Anyway, we'll see how this ends up. I was just curious if anyone else has dealt with something like this and if there is a better approach. I should have probably asked before I started on this,  but the thought only crossed my mind after I was well involved in the repair process.

[pianotuner steveo]

I have never seen that happen in any piano, Rhodes, Wurli, or acoustic.

I think your clamp and glue idea is a good one, but be sure the alignment is perfect or else the keys will be off. I would test a few keys while the glue is starting to dry ( several, actually) to be sure it looks ( and feels) right. Make sure you do not turn any pins, they are oblong and can catch on the bushings, causing sticking keys.


Also, depending on where you put screws, you may want to remove them again after the glue cures.

[vanceinatlance]

Thanks for the advise Steveo. I did place keys as I worked on the rail. Some pins were turned and needed to be aligned as you mentioned. I clamped from front to back and top to bottom as I worked my way down the rail. A lot of clamping, but it appears to be working.  I'll know for sure when everything is dry.