[pianotech] Grand Hammer Removal / Replacement

[Amadeus Piano]

Mike, thanks for the response. I was wondering whether I should heat the
glue or try splitting the head with nippers--Reblitz does recommend this on
vertical hammers where they cannot be pressed off.  But I esp. like the idea
of grinding down the point on the Schaff hammer press; I hadn't thought of
that and it makes sense. 
Just what I was looking for--I appreciate it.
I don't have a proper knurler, so for the time being, I am knurling with a
pair of small pliers, careful, tedious work, but it seems to work ok.

Gary 

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Mike Spalding
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 11:30 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Grand Hammer Removal / Replacement

Gary,

A couple of things that have worked for me: 1) remove the glue collar. 
This is necessary to let your press seat squarely against the hammer. If 
it's hide glue, it should be brittle enough to chip off when pressed 
with a not-too-sharp knife. 2) Pre-heat the joint with a heat gun. 3) 
reduce the size of, or remove completely, the point on the end of your 
shank press. Schaff's current offering has a big blunt point that does 
excessively enlarge the end of the shank.

Are you trying to save the old hammers? If not, consider a different 
removal method that sacrifices the hammers to reduce the damage to the 
shank. Such as splitting the hammers with diagonal cutting pliers. 
You'll still need to re-size or re-knurl the end of the shank to get 
consistent fit to your new hammers.

hope this helps

Mike

Escapement wrote:
>
> Hello all, first, thanks again to all those who contribute here on a 
> regular basis-I find this list an invaluable resource.
>
> When replacing grand hammers (retaining existing shanks) should I prep 
> the hammer/ shank joint in any way prior to using my grand hammer 
> press? My bible (Reblitz) doesn't mention any need.
>
> I ask because when I use the press, it leaves a dimple in the top of 
> the shank and seems to slightly swell it as well.
>
> I'm able to reshape the top by knurling with pliers, but I wonder if I 
> could be doing it better.
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice,
>
> Gary Hodge, PTG, assoc.
>