[Files] [CAUT] Tool for removing capstans

[Wolfley, Eric (wolfleel)]

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Jim,

 

It just polishes them. I've never noticed those burrs causing any problems
either by friction or excessive wear on the wippen cushions. Part of me
wants to remove the burrs because it seems like they shouldn't be there but
another part of me says why bother if they aren't hurting anything. Maybe
I've just been lucky though.

 

Eric

 

Eric Wolfley, RPT

Supervising Piano Technician

College-Conservatory of Music

University of Cincinnati

 

  _____  

From: Jim Busby [mailto:jim_busby@byu.edu] 
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 3:55 PM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: RE: [Files] [CAUT] Tool for removing capstans

 

Eric,

 

Good tip! When you polish with it does it remove the burrs around the top
perimeter, or does it just shine them?

 

Thanks,

 

Jim Busby

 

  _____  

From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Wolfley, Eric (wolfleel)
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 9:40 AM
To: 'files@ptg.org'
Subject: [Files] [CAUT] Tool for removing capstans

 

I finally found time to make some photos of this tool for those who are
interested...

 

The tool started life as a 3/8" plug cutter of unknown manufacture. It just
says U.S.A. 3/8" on the tool. I think it was from one of those "Do it"
places. Anyway, it proved useless as a plug cutter and sat around next to
the drill press for a few years until the day I spied it while trying to
think of a way to quickly and efficiently remove capstans without taking the
keys off the keyframe. This is how it works. I place a damper wire set screw
(I couldn't find anything that worked better) into one of the holes in the
capstan and place the tool (chucked into my cordless drill) onto the capstan
making sure the screw gets up into the cutter slot on the side of the tool
(photo #2). I then back the capstan out, remove the screw, throw the capstan
into a cup and put the screw into the next capstan. I know this sounds
clumsy and a little involved but it goes really quickly and it really does
take just 10 minutes to remove a whole set. To insert the capstans, I just
do everything in reverse. Put the capstan with the screw inserted into the
tool, put the capstan into the hole in the key and turn it in. This takes a
little longer than turning them out because you have to be more careful, but
is still fast. I needed a spacer in the tool to keep the tool from going too
far down on the capstan and came up with the brilliant idea of using a felt
plug cut from some scrap hammer felt (photo #1).  After inserting the plug I
wrap some tape around the tool to keep the plug in place. This serves the
dual purpose of spacer and polisher. To polish, I put a small dab of Flitz
on the top of every capstan and spin the tool on the capstan at high speed
(without the little screw inserted of course) and then clean it off with a
cotton rag. It takes 10 - 15 minutes to do a whole set this way.

 

Eric

 

 

Eric Wolfley, RPT

Supervising Piano Technician

College-Conservatory of Music

University of Cincinnati

 

Photos at:

 

http://tinyurl.com/b46fo <http://tinyurl.com/b46fo> 

 

http://tinyurl.com/8w2f3 <http://tinyurl.com/8w2f3> 

 

 

Direct ptg.org URLs:

 

https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/attachments/ae/9d/92/e7/capstantool1.jpg
<https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/attachments/ae/9d/92/e7/capstantool1.jpg
> 

 

https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/attachments/5b/61/16/f4/capstantool2.jpg
<https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/attachments/5b/61/16/f4/capstantool2.jpg
> 

 


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