<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3314" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV> <DIV>Hi, Jack:</DIV> <DIV>    I'm with you.  You're the guy doin' the work, so you should make the call.  Particle board and wood screws aren't a good combination in any situation.  Machine screws are best, IMHO, when it comes to MDF and particle board, especially on the bottom board where there's lots of stress.  </DIV> <DIV>    If you must use wood screws, I'd strengthen the holes by saturating the "wood" with epoxy or Wood Rebuilder.  Lube the screws with protek, or mold release McLube and screw them in.  You'll be able to remove the screws later if needed.  </DIV> <DIV>    Good luck.</DIV> <DIV>    Paul McCloud</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV>Paul McCloud</DIV> <DIV>Service Technician for PianoSD.com</DIV> <DIV><A href="http://www.pianoservsd.com">www.pianoservsd.com</A> </DIV> <DIV>Created with free BlueVoda software:</DIV> <DIV><A href="http://www.vodahost.com/partner/idevaffiliate.php?id=9223_1_3_9">http://www.vodahost.com/partner/idevaffiliate.php?id=9223_1_3_9</A></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=jackhouweling@dccnet.com href="mailto:jackhouweling@dccnet.com">Jack Houweling</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 05/28/2008 10:00:20 PM </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> pedal repair</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hello Everyone,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have a problem with a piano at a school. It is aYamaha T118 built in China. The screws in the pedal brackets have stripped out of  the bottom board.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The bottom board is 3/8" ply  ( beaver barf ) and I am asked to repair it with plug with dowel and redrill. ?? The reason is if other technicians have to work on it in the future it will be to difficult. Personally I don't think it will hold, this ply is too thin and not very good quality. I want to drill the holes in the board and install with nuts and bolts. The pedals will then be bullet proof. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Any suggestions?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jack houweling</FONT></DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>