I never have any problem..."knock on wood"...when I use an old screwdriver (size of the agraffe stem) with the tip filed in the shape of an M if you understand what I mean? Pushed into the broken stem with a vice-grip clamped on and turning counter-clockwise while tapping on the screwdriver. They always come right out... David I. ----- Original message ----------------------------------------> From: Richard Brekne <Richard.Brekne@grieg.uib.no> To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org> Received: Sat, 31 Jul 2004 14:30:49 +0200 Subject: Re: Broken Agraffe removal option >Way to go Phil ! >Never say you cant teach and old dog new tricks ! >Cheers >RicB >Phil Bondi wrote: >> I wrote to this list recently asking for advice for removing a broken >> agraffe. What I received in return was the sage advice that we all >> have come to know from this collection of technicians. >> >> Before I went to this clients home yesterday, I called a long-time >> confidant asking for some guidance, prayer, and any advice he had >> since I had never done this type of repair before. I explained to him >> what I had read here and what was suggested here. >> >> He had another idea: >> >> He suggested that I go to Grainger and get a left-threaded drill >> bit(1/8"), an awl, and file 3 equal sides about 1/4" up from the >> tip...just in case. The purpose of filing the awl was in the event >> that the left-handed drill bit did not remove the agraffe on its own. >> >> It was his opinion that the left-threaded drill bit would remove the >> broken agraffe on its own without the aide of the awl..and if it did, >> I would own him a hamburger. >> >> Make it a Happy Meal. >> >> Here's the procedure I used yesterday to easily remove a broken agraffe: >> >> -Apply some Liquid Wrench to the broken stub. >> -With the awl, lightly tap a starting hole/point for the drill bit to >> bite into. >> -insert the drill bit and start slowly..trying to find a bite. >> >> As soon as the drill bit found a bite, the agraffe started to spin >> free. At this point, there is no need to do anything else except >> remove the stub with your fingers..or in Guy Nichols' case, perhaps >> use tweezers to remove the stub. >> >> I will admit that I had, obviously, never removed a broken agraffe >> until yesterday. I am here to suggest to the experienced techs as well >> as the new techs to strongly consider this type of procedure the next >> time you're faced with a broken agraffe. For a person like myself, >> skiddish at best when working on a clients piano doing a procedure I >> have never done before, that outside of the sweat pouring off my face >> in nervousness, this procedure could not have been more tech-friendly >> as well as plate-friendly. >> >> For those who don't know, Grainger only allows businesses to have an >> account with them. It costs nothing to fill out an application. I had >> an account with them since this same confidant had suggested it a few >> years ago. Grainger has the odd and hard-to-find stuff. >> >> You can't imagine the relief I felt when I saw that stub start to turn. >> >> One Happy Meal..coming up. >> >> Phil Bondi(Fl) >_______________________________________________ >pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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