<div> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I usually tap a slot--very delicately--using the corner of a small screwdriver blade.  Eventually, you'll get enough bite to turn it out, just like a screw....unless the threads are really messed up!</font><br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div style="clear: both;">Dave Stahl, RPT<br> Dave Stahl Piano Service<br> dstahlpiano.net</div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> -----Original Message-----<br> From: David Ilvedson <ilvey@sbcglobal.net><br> To: pianotech@ptg.org<br> Sent: Sat, 15 Dec 2007 11:16 pm<br> Subject: RE: botched agraffe stem removal<br> <br> <div id="AOLMsgPart_0_72042b17-2789-4614-b836-69847bb28890" style="margin: 0px; font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,Sans-Serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> <pre style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt>Just in case you haven't been on top of agraffe removal...a small screwdriver <br> filed to a M shape. Vice-grip attached, turn counter-clockwise as you tap <br> into the agraffe stem. It always works...well almost always...<br> <br> Do not drill into the agraffe with a reverse bit etc. Use the tool above...<br> <br> David Ilvedson, RPT<br> Pacifica, CA 94044<br> <br> ----- Original message ----------------------------------------<br> From: "Isaac Sadigursky" <<a href="mailto:irs.pianos@earthlink.net">irs.pianos@earthlink.net</a>><br> To: "Pianotech List" <<a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a>><br> Received: 12/15/2007 7:31:07 PM<br> Subject: RE: botched agraffe stem removal<br> <br> <br> >Hi,Matt!<br> >I would advice to go to 1/4" agraffe size and it should work. In case<br> >threads are really damaged-go to 9/32" size.Pianotec and Schaff have all<br> >those supplies...Heli-coils don't work in agraffe application.... And in<br> >case threads are really-really-really messed-up,I have 1/2" custom made<br> >plugs for those extreme cases..Feel free to call me.. Good<br> >luck!!!![beginners luck usually doesn't work with agraffes,you have to be<br> >prepared]...Isaac Sadigursky,A.S. [agraffe specialist with lots of grey<br> >hair]<br> >Los Angeles Chapter<br> <br> >-----Original Message-----<br> >From: <a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org">pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a> [<a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org?">mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a>] On Behalf<br> >Of Matt Wynne<br> >Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 2:04 PM<br> >To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a><br> >Subject: botched agraffe stem removal<br> <br> >Hi All:<br> <br> >I've got an S&S parlor grand where a broken agraffe at the top of the <br> >tenor section was not removed well as a result, there's been serious <br> >thread damage and at this point, I think tapping for a larger agraffe <br> >is needed. Yamaha-style agraffes have a wide enough diameter but <br> >taps are not readily available locally as the thread is superfine. I <br> >have not called Yamaha or S&S yet, as I plan to, but I was thinking <br> >that maybe some here have run into this problem and may be able to <br> >offer some sagely advice as to the best way to proceed. Maybe <br> >there's some type of helicoil kit available?<br> <br> >-Matt<br> </tt></pre> </div>  <div class="AOLPromoFooter"> <hr style="margin-top:10px;" /> More new features than ever. Check out the new <a href="http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/mailtour/aol/en-us/text.htm?ncid=aolcmp00050000000003" target="_blank">AOL Mail</a>!<br/> </div>