[pianotech] Front rail pin extraction

[Kerry]

Hi Court,

 

My favorite method is to clamp a small vise-grip pliers onto the pin,
leaving just enough space underneath to slip a hammer-head extractor in. If
you've got the pliers tight enough, you can pull out just about any pin no
matter how tight. It's kind of a pain to do all 88 that way, but for the
ones that don't cooperate it does work. Cussing helps too.;-)

 

Kerry Kean

www.ohiopianotuner.com

 

  _____  

From: Court Stewart [mailto:calexste at gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 8:54 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Front rail pin extraction

 

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 

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