<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> </head> <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000"> Doug thanks for posting that suggestion, and Wim, thanks for letting us know that it worked for you! It struck me that using the punch and hammer in the way described, is akin in its effect to what happens with the air impact driver; the sudden application of force - almost before the component has time to think about it and resist! A fanciful notion, I know. Reminds me of knocking limpets off rocks on the beach as a boy. If you suddenly strike them with a one-off firm clean blow, the come off cleanly and immediately. But any kind of a lesser blow or tap first, and they clamp on tight to the rock and cannot be removed without smashing.  The comparison isn't valid, I know. I am just reminiscing. Best regards, David. <blockquote type="cite"> <pre><tt>3. Take a small pin punch or nail set and place it in the screw slot on the edge of the screw and angle it as much as you can in the direction of rotation. Tap it gently to break down the rust that is holding the screw head to the bar, or in the threads. A little patience is important here. Tap gently to not distort the screw head too much. This almost always works. You have both sides of the screw slot to use. You can alternate. I will be surprised if this does not work. It has always worked for me. I work on a lot of machines other than pianos too and have a lot of experience with broken bolts.</tt></pre> </blockquote> </body> </html>