<HTML>In a message dated 3/18/02 10:55:17 AM Central Standard Time, plumb@execulink.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">I have been asked to reglue hammerheads that have come loose from the molding (not the shanks) because of heat in a fire.  I would like to know the best kind of glue to use if not hide glue and best way to clamp them.  Any other information that may be helpful would be appreciated.  The piano is about 30 years old and there does not appear to be any other problems except rust formation on the pins and strings.  I realize that some of the other hammers may become loose in the future and have warned the client. Thanks, Paul Plumb Plumb Pianos </XMP> </BLOCKQUOTE> Paul I use super glue to reglue hammers to the molding. Squirt some super glue on the felt, and using needle nose vice grips, clamp the felt to the molding. Just before you clamp it shut, kick it. But you have more of a problem than just loose hammer moldings. Besides the loose moldings, the rust on the pins, which mean rust on the strings too, are going to be problem down the road. The damper felts are probably contaminated, and will become hard. The other felts in the action and piano have been exposed to soot and rust, and they will become hard. The heat from the fire, and/or smoke, has crystallized the glue in the major bracings of the piano. In other words, this sounds like it might be more of a problem that just loose hammer moldings. I hope the customer hasn't settled not the claim yet, because she might be entitled to a new piano. Wim </HTML>