<HTML>In a message dated 2/1/02 11:52:27 AM Eastern Standard Time, imatunr@srvinet.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Removal of plastic elbows can be a little difficult when the plastic at the center pin is not as brittle as the elbow where it usually breaks. </BLOCKQUOTE> My last elbow job was like this.  Despite having had to replace an elbow or two every year when tuning this piano, I found most elbows very un-brittle. After some frustration I tried 1) cutting the offending (non-breaking) elbows off with cut-nippers, and 2) melting the remaining plastic down to the center pin with my key bushing removal tool.  It worked.  Not knowing if the fumes were dangerous to my health, I opened the shop door and placed a box fan on the end of my workbench to blow the smoke out the door.  Bill Maxim Maxim Piano Service 212 Newpark Place Columbia, SC 29212-8666 (803) 732-9225, FAX (803) 732-2641 wmaxim@aol.com</HTML>