Robin -- I, too, use the screwdriver tips that fit into my tuning hammer. Very convenient. I have only been going after the hidden screws when I find that the accessible screws need more than just a nudge to tighten them up. And even then I've only gone for the ones that aren't totally hidden. Loosening the strings to get to those is something I just sort of didn't want to think about. Perhaps I should the next time I feel the need to get that aggressive. I can honestly say I have never actually stripped one of these screws out. But I do find them stripped out occasionally. My first reaction when I find this is to wonder how anyone could actually strip out screws that are that big. And then I wonder if they might not have been stripped out at the factory level. I do find the occasional new piano with plate and action mounting screws stripped. Action mounting screws I can fix easily by gluing in a piece of wood, (NOT toothpicks). But, (see question 2), is that an acceptable way to repair stripped plate screws? -- Geoff Sykes -- Assoc. Los Angeles -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Robin Blankenship Sent: Monday, July 17, 2006 12:54 PM To: Pianotech List Subject: Re: Plate bolt question Geoff, I'm with David I. about that; don't sweat the understring ones....UNLESS you are noticing a tuning stability problem or unless you're finding the easy to reach ones obviously in need of a turn. In those cases, bite the bullet and loose just enough strings just enough to get the screwdriver onto the screw/bolt. More work up front but often less in the long run. I often use those big Phillips and flathead screwdriver tips that fit into the tuning hammer. I got for very snug, but not ridiculously so. No need to gratuitiously strip screws, LOL. And, don't forget to at least look at and try to get to the plate screws at the bottom of vertical piano's plate. Robin Blankenship Matoaca, VA ----- Original Message ----- From: Geoff <mailto:thetuner at ivories52.com> Sykes To: Pianotech at Ptg. Org Sent: Monday, July 17, 2006 1:18 PM Subject: Plate bolt question Greetings all -- I routinely check the tightness of plate bolts/screws. This includes those that screw into the pinblock. Question 1: How do you tighten the pinblock bolts/screws that are blocked by strings? Question 2: What is the preferred method of repair when stripped bolts/screws are discovered? -- Geoff Sykes -- Assoc. Los Angeles _____ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.10.1/389 - Release Date: 7/14/2006 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20060717/3da875fc/attachment-0001.html
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