[CAUT] steinway agraffs

[Carl Root]

Sometimes the drilled hole/extractor method isn't necessary.  Nor is  
it foolproof.  I've seen poorly drilled holes that required an  
insert.  I've also heard of extractors breaking off!

Grind a "V" into the tip of a screwdriver so it looks like a  
fishtail.  You now have two points which can be driven into the softer  
brass (not too aggressively).  If twisting it out with the modified  
screwdriver doesn't work, you can scrape a shallow slot into the brass  
that will accommodate a conventional screwdriver.

Carl D. Root, RPT


On Jun 17, 2010, at 1:34 PM, Garee, Anne E. wrote:

> James,
> The broken agraffe repair starts with the preparation of the stem left
> behind in the plate.  Use a conical stone bit in a Dremel tool to  
> create
> a crater in the surface of the stem paving the way for a small drill
> bit. Drill an appropriately sized hole for a small screw extractor  
> used
> in a tap wrench and unscrew the broken stem.  Tapping on the screw
> extractor to get a decent bite into the brass will also serve to break
> loose the tight hold of the cast iron (the stem can also be soaked in
> liquid wrench for awhile to loosen).  If this fails (and sometimes it
> does), Pianotek sells a wonderful kit to enlarge the existing plate  
> hole
> which will then accept a threaded insert for a new aggraffe. A great  
> kit
> to have on hand.  Hope this will help.
> Anne
>
>
> Anne Garee, Program Director for Piano Technology
> Florida State University College of Music
> 122 N. Copeland Street
> Tallahassee, FL 32306-1180
> 850-645-7873
> agaree at fsu.edu
> http://www.fsu.edu/~music/pianotech.htm
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
> James Schmitt
> Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 12:46 PM
> To: PTG Caut
> Subject: [CAUT] steinway agraffs
>
> Hi all-
>    I am needing to do a job I have only done one other time before. I
> need to replace of broken agraff.  If i am right, replacing a broken
> agraff is simple IF, IF, IF, everything comes out right.  Otherwise
> this job gets very complicated very fast.  Some one told me about one
> of the journal articles that refereed to the use of an engraving tool
> that removed much of the possible complication with this job.  what
> kind of insight can you give me on this project.
> James Schmitt
> Marylhurst University

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