[pianotech] Grand Hammer Removal / Replacement

David Ilvedson ilvey at sbcglobal.net
Tue Jun 23 11:44:45 MDT 2009


Website is www.pianofortesupply.com

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Amadeus Piano" <amadeuspiano at comcast.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 6/23/2009 10:08:14 AM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Grand Hammer Removal / Replacement


>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.
>>



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