[pianotech] cracked/split jack birdseyes, etc.

[Joseph Garrett]

Richard,
I mean at right angle to the existing hole, from the bottom of the hammer
butt or jack. If we were holding the jack in it's normal veritcal position,
we would drill from the bottom straight up and intersecting with the
centerpin hole. Drill pass the intersection, so that there is sufficient
cross grain tooth pick to drill horizontally. There is the chance of
drilling the centerpin hole crooked. I use a drill press and The drill bits
are very small and most drill chucks will not close tight enough to hold
them. I use a Pin Vise, like the ones that Steinway put in their Teflon
Bushing Kits. I remove one end of the the double ended pin vise so that it
can be chucked in the drill chuck. Once in the drill, I tighten the
cinching nut of the pin vise so the drill bit will be firmly in it. I've
found this gets the job done.<G> I hope that is clearer. I'm not able to
take a picture at the moment. But, will if nec.
Joe


> [Original Message]
> From: Richard W. Bushey <rbushey4 at embarqmail.com>
> To: <joegarrett at earthlink.net>; <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Date: 2/15/2013 10:19:37 AM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] cracked/split jack birdseyes, etc.
>
> Joe,
>
> Thanks, Joe.  I'd love to learn this repair method, but I think I need a
bit 
> more clarification to be sure I'm understanding you correctly.
>
> You said drill "across" the centerpin hole. So I'm assuming you mean 
> perpendicular to the original hole and intersecting the original pin
hole, 
> and are not referring to just "cleaning" out the damaged (basically an 
> enlarged hole in the bird's eye on one side) centerpin hole with a larger 
> bit (to the size of a round toothpick), plugging the entire pin hole,
then 
> redrilling?
>
> If you're not referring to plugging the entire hole and redrilling, I may 
> need a pic to show what you're referring to.
>
> If you ARE referring to a standard plugging and redrilling, I did think
of 
> that as an option in a pinch, but was concerned that after it was
plugged, 
> how to drill the hole straight (square, whatever) so I didn't duplicate
the 
> problem I already had, which was the jack operating crooked. If this is
what 
> you do, do you have any trouble with that, or do you just eye ball it as 
> best you can when drilling? Pin vise drill I'm assuming. I suppose one
could 
> hold something square against the jack as a visual guide.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> Richard W. Bushey
> Richard's Piano Service
> www.RichardsPianoService.com
> www.RichardsPianoService.com/blog
> Rbushey at RichardsPianoService.com
>
> 573-765-9903
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett at earthlink.net>
> To: "pianotech" <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Sent: Friday, February 15, 2013 12:39 AM
> Subject: [pianotech] cracked/split jack birdseyes, etc.
>
>
> > Richard Bushey asked:
> > "If there is a neat fix for this besides replacing the jack, I'd be all
> > ears!
> >
> > Yes, there is. Drill across the centerpin hole with a drill bit that
will
> > "just" allow a round tooth pick to be inserted w/glue. Since Diamond
> > Toothpick and Match Company has gone to China, the diameter of drill
will
> > vary a lot. (That's what micrometers are for dude.<G>)
> > Once the glue has set up a bit, drill out the hole where the original
> > center pin went w/a 3/64" or #55 drill bit. Done. Repin. I've been using
> > that trick for a lot of years. It does take a steady hand, but it's 
> > doable.
> > When you are working with obsolete parts, it's the best answer, imo
> > Best,
> > Joe
> >
> >
> > Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
> > Captain of the Tool Police
> > Squares R I
> > http://gpianoworks.com/
> > 
>
>
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