[pianotech] screwed but good---the ironic fix

[David Ilvedson]

You could have used the $10 to buy a hex screwdriver, like we suggested...'-]

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Tom Sivak" <tvaktvak at sbcglobal.net>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Received: 1/10/2009 5:47:08 AM
Subject: [pianotech] screwed but good---the ironic fix


>List

>First of all, thanks to everyone who responded with great suggestions.  I even got a 
>phone call from a fellow chapter member with a great tip, just as I was leaving 
>yesterday AM.

>The irony of this situation is that once I did get the pedal box open to see why the 
>pedal was wobbly, I found that the problem was a loose screw!  Yes, the wonderful 
>people at Sejung (whom I believe are the manufacturers of this Wurlitzer) tightened 
>the exterior screws so well that "it takes a village" to get them unscrewed, only to 
>reveal that the screw holding the pedal in place was loose.  At least the client didn't 
>need to buy any hardware for the fix.

>I didn't have time to buy the impact screwdriver; I did try heat, as was suggested; I 
>did try Prokek, another suggestion; but really, it was the phone call from Mike Kurta 
>yesterday that led me to the solution.

>He mentioned that he used to be a car mechanic and that they had this problem all 
>the time.  He recommended tapping the screws with a blunt metal punch, to "loosen 
>the bond".  Whereas this didn't work, it did lead me to my local mechanic's shop.

>Two Vietnamese brothers own this repair shop down the street, and we've gotten 
>very close, due to my owning two cars with over 100K on each of them.  I love 
>these guys.  They're reasonably priced, and always fit me in to their schedule when 
>I bring in one of the cars.

>I brought the pedal box over, put it on the counter and said, "Ten bucks if you can 
>get these five screws unscrewed.  Trung (the older bro) went into the shop and 
>came out with a screwdriver with a hex shaft, and attached a wrench to it and I held 
>the box while he loosened the screws.  

>I gave him ten bucks.  He tried to refuse it.  "You are good customer.  No money."  I 
>made him take it.  It was worth it.  (Yeah, I tacked the ten bucks onto the bill.)

>And thanks to you all.  Once again, this list is the "Go To" place when you are stuck 
>and you need answers fast.  I learned a lot about overly tight screws, even if none 
>of the suggestions actually led to a solution in this case.  I am more prepared for the 
>next time.

>I wish you all a prosperous New Year!

>Tom Sivak
>Chicago