[pianotech] EZ outs oooops!

[David Doremus]

I'm not completely clear on exactly the situation, if the screw head is 
still big enough that you can't get the pressure bar off I've cut a new, 
deeper slot with what ever will work from a hacksaw to a dremel tool. 
Otherwise Mr Joe is exactly right, I had a Steinway console from the 
50's last year in which all but one of the tenor pressure bar screws 
were actually broken off in the wood. The call came because the tenor 
wouldnt hold a tune and several different tuners had tried. Drilling out 
the screw with what is essentially a mini hole saw or plug cutter is 
quick and painless. You can do this with brass tubing for one time use 
on broken bridge pins as well.

---Dave
      New Orleans

On 10/3/11 9:28 AM, Joseph Garrett wrote:
> Wim,
> I've done the same thing. Solution: A hollow tube that will 'just' slide
> over the shank of the screw. (I've made these, but you can buy them from
> Woodcrafters, et al.) This 'tube' is chucked in a reversible drill. There
> are saw teeth on the working end. The thing will allow you to 'drill' down
> around the screw shank until it binds. Because it is in "reverse" it will
> grab the screw and turn it out!<G>  Once the screw is  out, plug the hole
> with a plug of pinblock material. Let the glue set up and then redrill for
> a new screw.
> I hope that helps.
> Joe
> P.S. I won't say "I told ya so".<G>
>
>
> Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
> Captain of the Tool Police
> Squares R I
>
>

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