I was reading Jon Page's nice tip in the PTJ about using the hammer head extracting pliers for the installation of let-off buttons. I've recently come to prefer pressing the new buttons onto the screws rather than turning them on. This is easily accomplished when the let off rail is removable (for example, on a Knabe). You can use an arbor press (such as a drill press with a wooden dowel inserted) and press the new buttons on uniformly by setting the depth gauge on the press and supporting the rail with a slotted piece of wood to accommodate the top of the screw eyes. On a Steinway, however, since the rail is not removable, you can't use this method. Jon's tip gave me the idea that after removing the old let-off buttons (a pair of center pin nippers works well too) and then adjusting the level of the screws so that the amount of screw protruding from the bottom of the rail is the amount you want inserted into the new button, you can easily press the new buttons onto the screw using the hammer head extracting pliers but with the hex head bolt removed completely. Similar to Jon's article, the fork portion straddles the screw eye and the opposite side supports the new let-off button while you squeeze it into place. It goes quite fast. David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net
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