That was fast! Thanks so much to everyone who's commented. I count at least 6 possible solutions, all tried and true. What a valuable resource this list is. Floyd: Those rivet installers look pretty cool -- I may pick up a pair just to play with on the balance rail if nothing else. Considering some of the other tools I've gotten from Harbor Freight, I may pick up two ;). Now I'm lusting a little after the Pianotek pin pulling device -- I don't think I'd be able to justify its cost currently but I can think of at least two jobs I could use it on. I didn't check the bottom of the rail to see if the pins were protruding. I did look under the balance rail to see if they had been drilled through, but they weren't. William: The impact tool sounds ingenious. Am I understanding correctly that I would clamp the vise-grips on and then slide the weight quickly up to the 2nd nut on the rod for the impact? I've got a 5lb iron dumbell plate in mind... David: My current piano wire pliers are probably not long enough for an effective lever. However, I've got some heavy duty crimping pliers that would probably bite well and I'll take them and a dowel along next trip. Or I may take the excuse/opportunity to upgrade to the fancier wire cutters. John: Thanks for the variation on the above :) Kerry: Another great solution. Finally a job my hammer extractor can do well! Sounds like a poor man's version of the pianotek machine. It wouldn't be my choice for the entire job, but I can see where it would definitely pull out even the tightest pins and it will be accompanying me to the job as well. Joe: Thanks for your input too. I must say I left the job yesterday a bit discouraged and sore. You guys have brightened my mood considerably and somehow my back feels a little better now as well. -Court Stewart On Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 1:26 PM, Joe Goss <imatunr at srvinet.com> wrote: > The tip of the bolt would not go into the slot that pushes the clamping > lever on my vise grip and needed to be the same shape as the original bolt. > You may have used a larger vise grip plier. > 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 11:00 AM > > Subject: Re: [pianotech] Front rail pin extraction > > > Nope, no grinding required. Not sure I understand, though. I just > bought threaded rod of the same size as the adjusting screw/bolt that > I removed. > > William R. Monroe > > > On Jul 14, 2009, at 11:14 AM, "Joe Goss" <imatunr at srvinet.com> wrote: > > 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 >>> >> >> > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20090714/e31a7b87/attachment.htm>
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