[pianotech] Broken Agraffe

[Ron Nossaman]

David Ilvedson wrote:
> I'm sure Pianotek would supply that if your were willing to pay the price...
> 
> David Ilvedson, RPT
> Pacifica, CA  94044
> 
> ----- Original message ----------------------------------------
> From: "Jon Page" <jonpage at comcast.net>
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Received: 10/9/2009 3:15:38 AM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Broken Agraffe
> 
> 
>> It would have been nice if the manufacturer cut a slot in the bottom 
>> of the shank.
>> That way a small screw could turn it out (from the late John McDonald, RPT).
>> -- 
> 
>> Regards,
> 
>> Jon Page

Being conscientious state of the art rebuilders, possessed of 
tools and a compelling need to excel, what's keeping us from 
creating our own agraffe replacement Nirvana and cutting our 
own slots in these agraffes we buy from supply houses? Yea, I 
know that doesn't help with the installed base, but pretty 
much nothing does, does it? A couple of carefully aligned 
strokes with a hacksaw on the bottom of each agraffe stud, and 
should someone some day be faced with a broken agraffe that 
you installed, they'll be grateful - if they notice before 
they get it out by other means.

I wonder too, what the percentage of installed agraffes that 
actually eventually break might actually be. I'd guess 
insurance underwriters could insure newly manufactured pianos 
against eventual agraffe breakage for $0.37 each and still 
make money, if not for the paperwork.

Had the agraffes been slotted thus all along, it would 
certainly have been handy a couple of times in 30+ years - if 
I'd noticed.
Ron N