Glue collars

[David ilvedson]

> Date:          Wed, 30 Apr 1997 22:13:08 -0400 (EDT)
> From:          FSSturm@aol.com
> Subject:       Glue collars
> To:            pianotech@byu.edu
> Reply-to:      pianotech@byu.edu

Fern Henry gave a tip about using ripstop material from a Fabric
shop to cover the floor around a piano while doing pedal work.
I would imagine something like this under the hammers should
help.

ilvey
Pacifica, CA

> I just finished regluing some loose hammers on a Kawai grand. They had
> enormous glue collars, and the glue was particularly hard and brittle, so it
> was necessary to chip away the collar before using the hammer removal tool. I
> have had this experience before (and not only on Kawais. Don't mean to run
> down a piano I otherwise have a particular fondness for).
>
> What happens is the collar chips off in small chunks, one or two of which
> invariably get between a couple keys or into the action, causing some sort of
> problem. The only way I can think of to avoid this happening is to remove the
> shank from the rail (which is often necessary anyway, to avoid stressing the
> flange too much) and taking the whole assembly to the next room. The
> particular glue has a consistency that makes it disintegrate violently, and
> the chips really fly. This last time I covered the action and keys with a
> sheet, and still a chunk managed to insinuate itself between a couple keys,
> causing a sticking key.
>
> Anyone worked out a neat technique for avoiding this problem?
>
> BTW, this particular piano demonstrates to me the fallacy of glue collars in
> general: the glue is tightly bonded to both shank and hammer molding, but the
> joint between shank and hammer hole had failed. The hammer isn't going to
> fall off (can't remember when I ever saw that happen except when a bad repair
> was at fault), but it sure does click.
>
> Regards,
> Fred Sturm
> Albuquerque, NM
>
>
ilvey, RPT
Pacifica, CA