You could have used the $10 to buy a hex screwdriver, like we suggested...'-] David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 ----- Original message ---------------------------------------- From: "Tom Sivak" <tvaktvak at sbcglobal.net> To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org> Received: 1/10/2009 5:47:08 AM Subject: [pianotech] screwed but good---the ironic fix >List >First of all, thanks to everyone who responded with great suggestions. I even got a >phone call from a fellow chapter member with a great tip, just as I was leaving >yesterday AM. >The irony of this situation is that once I did get the pedal box open to see why the >pedal was wobbly, I found that the problem was a loose screw! Yes, the wonderful >people at Sejung (whom I believe are the manufacturers of this Wurlitzer) tightened >the exterior screws so well that "it takes a village" to get them unscrewed, only to >reveal that the screw holding the pedal in place was loose. At least the client didn't >need to buy any hardware for the fix. >I didn't have time to buy the impact screwdriver; I did try heat, as was suggested; I >did try Prokek, another suggestion; but really, it was the phone call from Mike Kurta >yesterday that led me to the solution. >He mentioned that he used to be a car mechanic and that they had this problem all >the time. He recommended tapping the screws with a blunt metal punch, to "loosen >the bond". Whereas this didn't work, it did lead me to my local mechanic's shop. >Two Vietnamese brothers own this repair shop down the street, and we've gotten >very close, due to my owning two cars with over 100K on each of them. I love >these guys. They're reasonably priced, and always fit me in to their schedule when >I bring in one of the cars. >I brought the pedal box over, put it on the counter and said, "Ten bucks if you can >get these five screws unscrewed. Trung (the older bro) went into the shop and >came out with a screwdriver with a hex shaft, and attached a wrench to it and I held >the box while he loosened the screws. >I gave him ten bucks. He tried to refuse it. "You are good customer. No money." I >made him take it. It was worth it. (Yeah, I tacked the ten bucks onto the bill.) >And thanks to you all. Once again, this list is the "Go To" place when you are stuck >and you need answers fast. I learned a lot about overly tight screws, even if none >of the suggestions actually led to a solution in this case. I am more prepared for the >next time. >I wish you all a prosperous New Year! >Tom Sivak >Chicago
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