[pianotech] Elbow Replacement (quick question)

[Tom Driscoll]

Matthew,
 If the replacement elbows are the same profile as the old ones I want the overall length of the assembly to be as similar as possible .I use the Schaff Vagias elbows as they usually match the old ones in size. You will always have to adjust the dowels (Typical setup) for correct jack to butt contact (lost motion adjustment ) but if you deviate from the original length you will  have more adjustment required . Sometimes those dowells can be tight!
 There are some great suggestions in the archives on this procedure. Somebody suggested heating the wire and essentially melting the elbow in place. I'm trying that next time .
My process has been to snip off the elbow at the whippen and with all the wires on the bench I  then  clamp a vice grip on the wire right at what is left of the old elbow ,snip off the crumbly remains and screw on a new elbow till it meets the vicegrip. Somewhat tedious as you can imagine hence the appeal of the heat it up method.
The hardest part can be removing the remaining plastic from around the center pin. I have had success nipping the plastic with center pin diagonal cutters, but if not careful  the wood can brake around the pin. I think someone recommended a chiller of some sort to freeze the plastic and render it more brittle. 
I'm sure our list pals will elaborate on some other methods 
Back in the 70's -80's I had more of these jobs come my way but  I'm down to one or less a year now. Either they have been replaced or the piano is dead for other reasons.
 Is this a Betsey Ross or an Aeolian?
I mentioned "crumbly " before. That's if your lucky. Ocasionally the elbows are gooey and as such more tenacious in removal.
Good luck,
Tom Driscoll
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Matthew Todd 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 6:52 PM
  Subject: [pianotech] Elbow Replacement (quick question)


        When screwing on the new elbows, do we normally screw till the elbow just covers the threads on the lifter wire, or do we screw until the lifter wire is all the way down in the hole?

        OR, does it not matter?


        TODD PIANO WORKS 
        Matthew Todd, Piano Technician 
        (979) 248-9578
        http://www.toddpianoworks.com 



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