<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=windows-1252"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1170" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT size=2>Hi, use a soldering iron, which already has a = screwdriver like tip applied until the screw is hot. Also if you try tightening the screw = before loosening it, that also can help to free it.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>A new set of screws (or set from a scrap action) may = be needed, and a dampp-chaser heater bar.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT><BR>Brian</DIV> <DIV>S. Africa - where it's dry</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><BR> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A title=ptizzard@mweb.co.za = href="mailto:ptizzard@mweb.co.za">Paul Tizzard</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, June 01, 2003 = 9:55 AM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> "Frozen" hammer rail screws</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi list,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Last week I assessed a piano at a = local school that has all of the hammer rail screws "frozen" in the rail. The = school is near the coast and the piano is in their hall. There is definitely a = lot of moisture around generally. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to = free the screws? I know heat is going to be involved, but what tools etc do you = suggest? Are there any other possibilities? Finally, what is the worst = case scenario?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks in advance.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Paul Tizzard</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>S. Africa        </FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>