[pianotech] EZ outs oooops!

[Joseph Garrett]

All true, except for the brass! Brass is way too soft to cut into Maple,
imo. I use ordinary steel rod. (available at hardware stores, even in
Hawaii, I suspect<G>) Drill out the center and take it to the vise and,
using a triangle file, cut saw teeth into the end. Takes a bit of practice
to get the teeth filed correctly, but all doable.
 Perhaps I misunderstood Wim, in that the head is still attached, but with
a darned EZ out stuck in the center of it. If that is the case, then I'd
take all of the other Pressure Bar Screws out and then grind the head off
of the offending/offensive screw. That way, the "screw extractor" would,
then, fit over the screw shank. Then, proceed as in my previous post.
Whichever the case, the Pressure Bar needs to come out so's that it can be
smoothed/plated/whatevered. Then reinstalled after all the strings have
been replaced. 
I realize that the availability of hardware and such, that those of us, in
"the lower 48", have come to expect, are difficult to attain. Also, any
special order stuff takes forever to get. AND the prices are waaaayyyy out
of sight! However, if it were me, I'd just pass those things over to the
client. It should just be expected under the circumstances, imo.
Joe


> [Original Message]
> From: David Doremus <algiers_piano at bellsouth.net>
> To: <joegarrett at earthlink.net>; <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Date: 10/3/2011 8:10:54 AM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] EZ outs oooops!
>
> I'm not completely clear on exactly the situation, if the screw head is 
> still big enough that you can't get the pressure bar off I've cut a new, 
> deeper slot with what ever will work from a hacksaw to a dremel tool. 
> Otherwise Mr Joe is exactly right, I had a Steinway console from the 
> 50's last year in which all but one of the tenor pressure bar screws 
> were actually broken off in the wood. The call came because the tenor 
> wouldnt hold a tune and several different tuners had tried. Drilling out 
> the screw with what is essentially a mini hole saw or plug cutter is 
> quick and painless. You can do this with brass tubing for one time use 
> on broken bridge pins as well.
>
> ---Dave
>       New Orleans
>
> On 10/3/11 9:28 AM, Joseph Garrett wrote:
> > Wim,
> > I've done the same thing. Solution: A hollow tube that will 'just' slide
> > over the shank of the screw. (I've made these, but you can buy them from
> > Woodcrafters, et al.) This 'tube' is chucked in a reversible drill.
There
> > are saw teeth on the working end. The thing will allow you to 'drill'
down
> > around the screw shank until it binds. Because it is in "reverse" it
will
> > grab the screw and turn it out!<G>  Once the screw is  out, plug the
hole
> > with a plug of pinblock material. Let the glue set up and then redrill
for
> > a new screw.
> > I hope that helps.
> > Joe
> > P.S. I won't say "I told ya so".<G>
> >
> >
> > Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
> > Captain of the Tool Police
> > Squares R I
> >
> >
>
> --