Argh!!!!

[Michael Magness]

On 11/2/07, Willem Blees <wimblees at aol.com> wrote:
>
> I just spent 45 minutes replacing one hammer return spring. 5 minutes to
> replace the spring, and 40 minutes removing and replacing the fall board
> and action of a Baldwin Acrosonic spinet. Whoever invented the fall board
> system on that piano should be shot. No air condition, and today there are
> Kona winds, which means what ever wind there is comes from the south, it's
> very humid, and temperature is in the upper 80's. Sweating like a pig. (I
> know, quit your bitchin'.)  :)
>
> Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT
> Piano Tuner/Technician
> Honolulu, HI
> Author of
> The Business of Piano Tuning
> available from Potter Press
> www.pianotuning.com
>  ------------------------------
> Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail<http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/mailtour/aol/en-us/index.htm?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000970>
> !
>
>


I am with you all the way Willem, I firmly believe they used either the
Marquis De Sade or direct descendants to design the falls and cabinetry on
many of these especially Baldwin and Kimball.

I have found one thing that is a big help, back in '95 I was diagnosed with
Carpal Tunnel and as it progressed I "helped" myself by acquiring an inline
power screwdriver, rechargable, for removing the numerous screws of Wurlies,
Kimballs and others just to get in and tune. I had the surgery in 2004 but
the inline screwdriver by then, my 3rd with removable rechargable
batteries, had become a fixture in my toolcase. I find it invaluable for
just such a case as you ran into, since you can, one handed, replace screws,
at 180rpm, almost effortlessly, while holding the fall in place with the
other. I've found it to be a timesaver, wrist saver and it has added uses,
pickup a chuck for it, chuck in your bit and drill out hammer
butts/heads for new shanks in much less time than the hand method, or screw
and heat method. My cordless inline screwdriver is the tool that is most
accessible in my toolbag, on top of my stripmute and tuning hammer!
Mine is now about 5 or 6 years old and the newer smaller pistol grip models
with the NiCad batteries are out with more power but my old Black & Decker
inline is all the power I need, more power will strip out wood screws. Being
an inline with a locking spindle I can use it like a regular screwdriver
with a large comfortable grip to tighten or loosen stubborn screws it has a
center pivot so that it does fold to a pistol like grip if it's too long for
a given spot. I have my large cordless drill/drivers in my shop for the
heavy work.
Mike
-- 
The way some people find fault, you'd think there was some kind of reward.
Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com
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