Frozen or Binding regulating screws

[Larry J. Messerly]

Arnie,
I would try application of heat to the metal adjusting screws.. I've used
it on old upright actions to free let-off screws, I don't know why it
would not work on all others.  Caution, experiment slowly on some samples
to find out how long to apply the heat, you don't want to schorch the
wood or loosen them too much.

I have a "zapper" built for center pin heating that I use, but I don't
know why one could not use a soldering iron.

Larry Messerly RPT
Phoenix/Prescott
A Real "Bald-one"
All messages ©

On Fri, 28 Jul 2000 21:02:12 -0400 "arnie" <arniex@earthlink.net> writes:
> 
> Hi, List.
> 
> I have just finished inspecting the action of an old Hallet & Davis 
> baby
> grand. (The serial number seems to have been long ago obliterated 
> but I'm
> guessing it's about 60-70 years old.)  The piano was just "rebuilt" 
> but the
> "rebuilder" didn't bother to regulate the action. This action isn't 
> a little
> out, it's grossly out! Perhaps the reason it wasn't regulated is 
> that most
> of the regulating screws are binding so badly I think they would 
> break, or
> worse -  strip the holes if they were turned any large amount.
> 
> I will shortly be attempting to regulate this action. I'm looking 
> for any
> experiences out there with techniques to free up  binding regulating 
> screws.
> It has been suggested that I try pin-point applications of Proteck's 
> Prolube
> liquid, which I will. But I would like to have more than one card up 
> my
> sleeve before I start this job. Can anyone suggest other approaches? 
>  I
> thought of  Liquid Wrench, but would it harm the action?
> Thanks,
> 
> Arnie
> Arnold D. Moss
> Associate Member, PTG
> 
> 
> arniex@earthlink.net