Glue collars

[Warren Fisher]

FSSturm@aol.com wrote:
>
> I just finished regluing some loose hammers on a Kawai grand. They had
> enormous glue collars, and the glue was particularly hard and brittle, so it
> was necessary to chip away the collar before using the hammer removal tool. I
> have had this experience before (and not only on Kawais. Don't mean to run
> down a piano I otherwise have a particular fondness for).
>
> What happens is the collar chips off in small chunks, one or two of which
> invariably get between a couple keys or into the action, causing some sort of
> problem. The only way I can think of to avoid this happening is to remove the
> shank from the rail (which is often necessary anyway, to avoid stressing the
> flange too much) and taking the whole assembly to the next room. The
> particular glue has a consistency that makes it disintegrate violently, and
> the chips really fly. This last time I covered the action and keys with a
> sheet, and still a chunk managed to insinuate itself between a couple keys,
> causing a sticking key.
>
> Anyone worked out a neat technique for avoiding this problem?
>

Fred, I would think that if you heated the collar some and used a small
pair of side cutters the glue would be softer and wouldn't chip.  What
do you think?

Another thought that just occurred, was a piece of fibreglass window
screen with a hole in the middle and cut in from one side which would
allow you to wrap it around the shank and clip it in place while you
were removing the head.

Hope this helps,

Warren
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Warren D. Fisher
fish@communique.net
Registered Piano Technician
Piano Technicians Guild
New Orleans Chapter 701