[pianotech] Front rail pin extraction

[Joe Goss]

Hi William,
Did you not have to grind off the threads of the new bolt to match the old 
one?
Joe Goss BSMusEd MMusEd RPT
imatunr at srvinet.com
www.mothergoosetools.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "William R. Monroe" <bill at a440piano.net>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 8:48 AM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Front rail pin extraction


Court,

I modified a pair of Vise-Grips for pulling sundry tight "thingies."
I replaced the original adjusting knob with the same diameter threaded
rod with two nuts and a lock washer on the end - about 12" in length.
I added a weighted slide (from Joe Goss - but any solid heavy sliding
weight would do) and voilà - now you have an impact removal tool.

William R. Monroe

On Jul 14, 2009, at 8:54 AM, Court Stewart <calexste at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello, all.  Long time lurker, first time poster here.
>
> I've got a customer whose old upright has some highly corroded front  rail 
> pins (I suspect a spill of some sort is the cause -- the  corrosion is 
> much worse in one area than the rest).  The keys are in  dire need of 
> rebushing, but first the old pins have got to go -- the  corrosion is 
> beyond polishing away and the pins are pitted.  I tried  pulling one 
> yesterday and just about threw my back out.  After  trying different 
> pliers and prying techniques I decided to try  heating the pin up.  After 
> that, I was finally able to yank the  sucker out.  But the pins are 
> extremely tight, and even with the  heating it was a tough go just to pull 
> one.  Also, it's pretty humid  here right now, though it gets worse.
>
> What are some favorite techniques to use in this situation?  I'm not  sure 
> I'm up to doing this 87 more times and if anyone can help it's  you guys.
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice you may offer.
>
> Court Stewart
> Roanoke Chapter