[CAUT] Broken agraffe

[Don Mannino]

Jeff,

The "fish tail" screwdriver method is under-used.  It really does work in many cases.  I have also done a similar thing using a small cutoff wheel in a Dremel to cut a positive slot in the agraffe stem, then use a blade screwdriver to turn it out.  This is a problem if the stem is too deep in the plate, of course.

As others said, long drill bits can work.  If it's jammed and you need a reverse drill bit that could be a problem getting a long one.

I have also drilled up from the bottom with a right-angle drill.  No need to use a reverse drill - if the agraffe breaks loose it will spin up nicely.  Getting yourself aligned properly is tricky, but doing a careful center punch and using good lights and a mirror on the keybed will help a lot.

Don Mannino

-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Farris
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 11:06 AM
To: caut at ptg.org
Cc: Steve Walthall; tseay2 at austin.rr.com
Subject: [CAUT] Broken agraffe

Has anyone had to remove a broken agraffe right next to the plate strut where a drill can't fit? Any good ideas?

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff Farris
Piano Technician
School of Music
UT Austin
jfarris at mail.utexas.edu
512-471-0158





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