Dampp Chaser and Drills

[Dave Nereson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Matthew Todd" <toddpianoworks@yahoo.com>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 7:57 PM
Subject: Dampp Chaser and Drills


> Just a quickie...
>
> When you install the dampp-chaser systems, do y'all just bust out an 
> electric drill in front of the customer and begin?  Does the customer ever 
> question, or get irate, when ya start drilling in their piano??  Or do you 
> not use a drill?
>
> Matthew
 .yahoo.com

    Use a screw starter (it's silent and doesn't make sawdust).   I got mine 
from Dampp-Chaser years ago.  It works great, even in the hardwood of piano 
beams.  The part, or tool number is/was SS .  I don't know if they still 
offer them.  If not, I suppose you could get one of those very sharp 
self-tapping sheet metal screws used for heating and air-conditioning duct 
work (the sharp point punctures the metal), and cut the head off (or not) 
and epoxy the screw into a wood handle.
    They also offer(ed?) a magnetic hex driver (part/tool number HEX), which 
helps to keep from losing screws in the carpet.
    If they express concern about the screw holes, I just tell them they're 
all underneath, not visible, small, shallow, don't hurt anything, can always 
be filled with putty, etc.
    I might use a drill here or there, but mostly the screw starter.
    --David Nereson, RPT