<HEAD> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2802" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <DIV> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2802" name=GENERATOR> <DIV>Joe-</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I had assumed that statements like "I have been told..."  "Supposedly...." and "...take pictures for us!!!" would indicate that I was not particularly recommending the heat repair. I thought it would be understood as tongue-in-cheek; my mistake, and I apologize for upsetting you after your vacation.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>However, that repair was explained to me by someone nationally recognized as a piano conservator, who has worked on 19th century pianos in the Smithsonian collection where his pinblock restoration method has made it possible to restore a famous Broadwood piano.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Not known for his sense of humor, but he did smile and say "Very dramatic method!"</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Best wishes,</DIV> <DIV>Ed Sutton  aka  "ES"<BR><BR><BR>-----Original Message----- <BR>From: Joseph Garrett <JOEGARRETT@EARTHLINK.NET><BR>Sent: Mar 14, 2006 11:08 AM <BR>To: pianotech <PIANOTECH@PTG.ORG><BR>Subject: Re: Stripped Tuning Pin, was striped tuning pin <BR><BR></DIV><ZZZHTML style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: AGaramond Bold"><ZZZHEAD><ZZZMETA content="text/html; charset=windows-1251" http-equiv="Content-Type"><ZZZMETA name="GENERATOR" content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1522"></ZZZHEAD><ZZZBODY> <P> <DIV>ES, (whoever the hell that is!), said: "There is a reverse thread "tuning head extractor" gizmo available from piano supply houses. It might work if the pin is not too tight. <DIV>Failing that, you can drill a hole from behind the piano and punch the pin out.</DIV> <DIV>I have also been told that you can grab the pin with a vice grip pliers and heat the pliers with a torch. Supposedly it will scorch the pinblock enough to release the pin. Be sure to take pictures for us!!!"</DIV> <DIV>ES,</DIV> <DIV>This is the kind of idiocy that drove me to take a sabbatical! I certainly wouldn't want you working on my piano! Sheesh! Get the correct tool and use it correctly!</DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)</DIV> <DIV>Captain, Tool Police</DIV> <DIV>Squares R I</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <P></P></ZZZBODY></ZZZHTML></DIV></BODY>