Broken action screw

Wallace Scherer WallyTS@compuserve.com
Tue, 16 Feb 1999 08:00:09 -0500


Marnie,

I had a question about that very thing about six months ago, and received a
lot of input from this list. So far, I haven't corrected the problem, but
plan to next time I service the customer, which she is in agreement with.

The problem seems to be threefold:

1. The screw which is on the right side of the action in these Wurlitzers
is SHORTER than the other three, therefore the hole is not as deep either.
So, if not VERY careful, the technician will not notice this and try to put
the long screw into the short hole, which will probably break it off.

2. The original screws were of material that was too soft to withstand the
extra pressure used to try to force it into the short hole.

3. The alignment of the hole with the action bracket was not accurate,
therefore, in addition to the shortness of the hole, there is also a
sideways pressure, adding to the tightness.

The advice I followed, and which I will try when I go back to service this
piano is:

1. Purchase a new, shorter, stronger replacement from Schaff.

2. Purchase a specially made Wurlitzer action screw extractor from Schaff.

3. Using the special tool, remove the old screw and insert the new one. 

I'm still not sure what to do about the bad alignment problem; if I try to
bend the metal action bracket, I can almost bet it would break. I think
I'll try putting in the new screw with a bit of Protek grease to see if it
feels too tight or not. If not, I'll leave the bad alignment problem alone.

Wally Scherer, Piano Technician, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Associate member of the PTG, Hampton Roads, Va. chapter
mailto:WallyTS@iName.com 
Web page: http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/2411
"Old piano tuners don't die - they just go beatless!"

  


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