[pianotech] Melting on plastic elbows

[Paul McCloud]

Hi, Elwood:
    I usually use a pair of needle nose pliers and crush the plastic in there.  You can also modify a pair of end nippers by grinding the tips to the width of the wippen opening.  Just be careful not to split the wippen in the process.  Don't ask how I know!
    Paul McCloud
    San DIego


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Elwood Doss 
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: 09/27/2010 9:15:23 AM 
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Melting on plastic elbows


I am replacing a set of old plastic elbows and have found that the end with the bushing that connects to the whippen will break off and still be attached to the whippen.  How does one break that plastic flange to get it off so the new one can be installed?
Joy!
Elwood
 
Rev. Elwood Doss, Jr., M. Mus. Ed., RPT
Piano Technician/Technical Director
Department of Music
355 Clement Hall
University of Tennessee at Martin
Martin, TN 38237
Office: 731/881-1852
Fax: 731/881-7415
Cell: 731/479-4043
 
From: Dale Erwin [mailto:erwinspiano at aol.com] 
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 9:45 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Melting on plastic elbows
 
Dave
   I think we should pass a law limiting spinet life spans. After that it would be illegal for kids to try to play them :)......... whadda ya think?
 That's what we do with cars here in CA.  The broke legislature pays 1000 bucks to retire gross polluters.  Now really.... aren't spinets noise polluters.  hey its dangerous!
 
 
Dale S. Erwin
www.Erwinspiano.com


Jon:
 
I’ve melted them on for many years and it might be just marginally faster, but it is VERY much easier on the hands!  
 
dp
 
David M. Porritt, RPT
dporritt at smu.edu
 
 
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Jon Page
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 6:12 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Melting on plastic elbows
 
    I can't remember who passed on the tip (Maybe Jon Page?)
Instead of screwing on the replacement elbows I applied a few seconds of heat from a propane bottle torch to the wire then pushed on the new plastic
elbow  holding  it in place for a two count. Very fast and easier in the hands.
 
'Tweren't me. I'm a proponent of the spin technique. Clamp a ViseGrip
on the wire at the top of the old elbow and cut off the old plastic with end
nippers. Once the new elbow is started, rotate the VG while holding the elbow.
 
I can't see how holding the wire to the flame to heat it takes less time than
to spin it on AND no fumes.
-- 

Regards,

Jon Page
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