Elbow job

[West Britt]

      I just replaced the plastic elbows on a Winter spinet this  
week.  It took a little less than 2 hours.  I use the Vagias snap on  
elbows from Pianotek (# EL-S).  I had the action in a cradle on the  
bench.  I first clamped some vice grip pliers on the wire snug up  
against the old elbow on note 1.  I squeezed the old elbow with  
alligator pliers right in the whippen mortise around the center pin  
and the old elbow crumbled off (on all 88).  Be careful not to damage  
the mortise.  If the elbows do not break off use end nip pliers.   
Holding the wire or vice grips I then broke off or twisted off the  
old elbow and spun the new one up to the vice grips.  With the Vagais  
elbows there is no need to repin the whip mortises.  You just snap  
them on to the old center pin and move on to the next one.  There is  
no need to remove the whips.  As you work be aware of wasted motion,  
and when removing the vice grips from one wire clamp them onto the  
next instead of setting them down on the bench.  I do, however, set  
down the alligator pliers after removing the old elbow from the  
whip.  This will help speed up the process without having to hurry.   
The reason for using the vice grips is so that when you put the  
action back in the piano the lost motion will be close to where it  
was before and save time in setting it.
      While you are at it,  call the customer and tell them that it  
will be cheaper for them to let you go ahead and replace the plastic  
damper flanges that are frequently on these pianos as well.  I use  
Pianotek #PW-DF10 standard damper flanges for most.   This will save  
you from breaking one while putting the action back in the piano and  
do them the service of not having continuous damper problems when  
they start breaking as well.  It took me 3 hours for this and I would  
be glad to detail the procedure if anyone was interested.
     I hope this helps,

      Britt West






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