<div>Addendum: removal of stubborn backchecks<br> <br> We're talking about removing them wires and all, right?  If so, here's what we did: Take a 2x4 (maybe 6" or so long) and cut a groove with a table saw down the center of it's length, tall, wide and long enough to slide over the end of the key (note: don't groove the entire length of the block, for strength's sake).  Slide the block over the end of the key, grip the wire (from the key button side) with a pair of substantial needle-nose vise grips, slide a small crow bar under the vise grips from the key-end felt side, and pry up.  We also used a little wedge of hard-wood, sliding it in under the crow bar to keep the prying angle as close to ideal as possible while the backcheck rises (thereby minimizing damage to the backcheck block).  <br> <br> I could have done several in the time it took me to write this.  It won't take you half a day, and efficiency is more than doubled if you have a helper with a decent sense of working together.<br> <br> Cheers,<br> <br> Alan Eder<br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <br> <div id="AOLMsgPart_2_646d676a-af11-4a37-9816-dc09ea2b6b3f"> <div> <br> </div> -----Original Message-----<br> From: Rob & Helen Goodale <<a href="mailto:rrg@unlv.nevada.edu">rrg@unlv.nevada.edu</a>><br> To: Pianotech List <<a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a>><br> Sent: Thu, 19 Jul 2007 9:46 am<br> Subject: Stubborn Backchecks<br> <br> <div id="AOLMsgPart_2_1bc7134c-1b97-4351-9f23-e628b17a661b"> <div><font face="Arial" size="2">Hello all,</font></div> <div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div> <div><font face="Arial" size="2">I have a relatively new Steinway B that requires new back checks.  As far as I'm concerned the old ones are fine.  Someone told the pianist that "they are noisy and need replacement" and now he is convinced they are.  He never mentioned a thing until he was told this.  The power of suggestion can move mountains.</font></div> <div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div> <div><font face="Arial" size="2">Anyway my typical procedure for removing back checks that I have been using for years is working them out with a pair of wire cutters gripping the sides with a small block of wood below.  These, however, are exceptionally stubborn.  After much frustration I tried using an upright hammer shank extractor.  That worked well but it took an enormous amount of time.  It could take over a half day to get all of them out at this rate!</font></div> <div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div> <div><font face="Arial" size="2">Any suggestions to speed this up appreciated.</font></div> <div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div> <div><font face="Arial" size="2">Rob Goodale, RPT</font></div> <div><font face="Arial" size="2">Las Vegas, NV</font></div> <div><font face="Arial" size="2"></font> </div> </div> <div class="AOLPromoFooter"> <hr style="margin-top: 10px;"> AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000437"><b>AOL.com</b></a>.<br> </div> </div>