[pianotech] Melting on plastic elbows

[Paul T Williams]

That's how I do it also.  BTW  Nine what? <G>

Paul




From:
Ryan Sowers <tunerryan at gmail.com>
To:
pianotech at ptg.org
Date:
09/27/2010 11:44 AM
Subject:
Re: [pianotech] Melting on plastic elbows



I use a pair of needle nose Vice grips. You can set the width of the jaws 
just slightly bigger than the center pin so you won't be in danger of 
scuffing it up with the rough surface of the pliers. The compound leverage 
helps too! I've done this job quite a few times right in the piano. I 
figure about 3 hours total to do a whole set of plastic elbows. One 
important detail is to properly prepare the elbows. I shove a round 
toothpick in the bushing to open it up more and to trim the felt away from 
the slotted opening with a fresh razor blade. They will pop on easier, and 
you will have less problem with sluggishness. A stitch in time, saves 
nine!

On Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 9:15 AM, Elwood Doss <edoss at utm.edu> wrote:
I am replacing a set of old plastic elbows and have found that the end 
with the bushing that connects to the whippen will break off and still be 
attached to the whippen.  How does one break that plastic flange to get it 
off so the new one can be installed?
Joy!
Elwood
 
Rev. Elwood Doss, Jr., M. Mus. Ed., RPT
Piano Technician/Technical Director
Department of Music
355 Clement Hall
University of Tennessee at Martin
Martin, TN 38237
Office: 731/881-1852
Fax: 731/881-7415
Cell: 731/479-4043
 
From: Dale Erwin [mailto:erwinspiano at aol.com] 
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 9:45 AM

To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Melting on plastic elbows
 
Dave
   I think we should pass a law limiting spinet life spans. After that it 
would be illegal for kids to try to play them :)......... whadda ya think?
 That's what we do with cars here in CA.  The broke legislature pays 1000 
bucks to retire gross polluters.  Now really.... aren't spinets noise 
polluters.  hey its dangerous!
 
 
Dale S. Erwin
www.Erwinspiano.com

Jon:
 
I’ve melted them on for many years and it might be just marginally faster, 
but it is VERY much easier on the hands!  
 
dp
 
David M. Porritt, RPT
dporritt at smu.edu
 
 
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On 
Behalf Of Jon Page
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 6:12 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Melting on plastic elbows
 
    I can't remember who passed on the tip (Maybe Jon Page?)
Instead of screwing on the replacement elbows I applied a few seconds of 
heat from a propane bottle torch to the wire then pushed on the new 
plastic
elbow  holding  it in place for a two count. Very fast and easier in the 
hands.
 
'Tweren't me. I'm a proponent of the spin technique. Clamp a ViseGrip
on the wire at the top of the old elbow and cut off the old plastic with 
end
nippers. Once the new elbow is started, rotate the VG while holding the 
elbow.
 
I can't see how holding the wire to the flame to heat it takes less time 
than
to spin it on AND no fumes.
-- 

Regards,

Jon Page



-- 
Ryan Sowers, RPT
Puget Sound Chapter
Olympia, WA
www.pianova.net


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