[pianotech] Fixing stripped screws

[Isaac Sadigursky]

Toothpicks are treated with WAX to protect gums,so toothpicks don't  
stick to the glue..........SHOE PEGS work great and they are available  
from SCHAFF, they work wonderful with Titebond glue...Also,split a  
Hammer Shank and it works well as a plug,too.....There are a few  more  
ways to work with stripped screw holes....Enough material for another  
class....Try shoe pegs....Good Luck....isaac.
On Mar 24, 2009, at 12:54 PM, Gerald Groot wrote:

> Good idea.
>
> Bamboo sticks also work very well as they are much harder than tooth  
> picks.
> Pick up a batch at Dollar Tree or Dollar Store for a buck.  Stuff it  
> in,
> break it off and you're good to go.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org]  
> On Behalf
> Of Rob Goodale
> Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 3:48 PM
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: [pianotech] Fixing stripped screws
>
> Hello all,
>
> I thought I'd take a minute to tell you about a fabulous way to fix  
> stripped
>
> screws.  Perhaps this secret is already out and about but it was new  
> to me
> so if there is anyone looking for a great solution, this Bud's for  
> you.  I
> can't take credit for this one, a colleague told me about it.
>
> You do not have to drill the hole out.  Stuff the hole well with  
> absorbent
> paper, (i.e. paper towel).  Next soak the paper with the super thin  
> CA glue.
>
> It absolutely MUST dry 100%.  Use accelerator to speed the process  
> up, but
> even after that wait at least a few minutes to make certain.  The  
> hole is
> now ready to use.  Insert the screw and you will be amazed to see  
> that it
> has the same feel as wood.  It will snug down tight like it did  
> originally
> and won't strip out.  In fact if you over tighten it there is a  
> chance you
> will break the screw head off before it will strip again, you might  
> actually
>
> need to drill a pilot hole depending on the situation.  This is a  
> GREAT and
> reliable repair and takes little effort.
>
> The key to all this is that the CA must be totally dry and you must  
> use the
> super thin.  It is not only necessary to make the repair successful  
> and
> restore the genuine wood-like qualities, but if you put the screw in  
> before
> it's dry it will never come out again!  Without question it will  
> break the
> head off before it will turn and it will have to be drilled and dug  
> out.
>
> Try this first in a piece of scrap wood, (maple, mahogany, etc -  
> typical
> piano woods).  Then the next time you come across that stripped lid  
> hinge
> screw you can amaze your customers!  It's a much better repair then  
> stuffing
>
> the hole with tooth picks.  I have to admit I was very reluctant to  
> try this
>
> and highly skeptical that it would work but my doubts and  
> apprehension have
> vaporized.
>
> Rob Goodale, RPT
> Las Vegas, NV
>
>
>
>
>