[pianotech] The Zapper

[Mark Purney]

I don't know, ask the technicians who have claimed to use zappers 
effectively, and also have managed to somehow apply enough heat to 
unfreeze the bushings without charring anything. I also know people who 
can solder fine-pitch surface mount microprocessors with a regular iron, 
and then I've seen the destruction caused by someone who isn't so skilled.

I have never used a zapper, but I fully intend to experiment with one, 
and if I'm pleased with the results, I will have no problem adding one 
to my tool bag. If a client can't afford the recommended solution, I try 
to at least leave them with a working piano before I pack up to go. So 
far for me, that has meant applying CLP and explaining to them that the 
results are likely to be only temporary, and that they should prepare 
for the expense of repinning soon. I wouldn't mind having another 
alternative, and I do trust myself to learn the technique well enough 
not to ruin anything (I'm one of those people who can solder well).

If I was afraid of damaging pianos, I wouldn't be carrying so many 
potentially harmful devices into peoples' homes, like tuning hammers, 
pliers, voicing tools, CA glue, and all those other unfriendly weapons 
of destruction sold by piano supply houses.



On 3/4/2010 4:38 PM, David Ilvedson wrote:
> How can a little heat do anything to the bushing?   I thought the idea was to burn the verdigri out of the bushing?   i.e. smoke?
>