[pianotech] Melting on plastic elbows

[Ryan Sowers]

I use a pair of needle nose Vice grips. You can set the width of the jaws
just slightly bigger than the center pin so you won't be in danger of
scuffing it up with the rough surface of the pliers. The compound leverage
helps too! I've done this job quite a few times right in the piano. I figure
about 3 hours total to do a whole set of plastic elbows. One important
detail is to properly prepare the elbows. I shove a round toothpick in the
bushing to open it up more and to trim the felt away from the slotted
opening with a fresh razor blade. They will pop on easier, and you will have
less problem with sluggishness. A stitch in time, saves nine!

On Mon, Sep 27, 2010 at 9:15 AM, Elwood Doss <edoss at utm.edu> wrote:

>  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* <pianotech-bounces at ptg.org> [*
> mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org* <pianotech-bounces at ptg.org?>] *On Behalf
> Of *Jon Page
> *Sent:* Friday, September 24, 2010 6:12 AM
> *To:* *pianotech at ptg.org* <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
>



-- 
Ryan Sowers, RPT
Puget Sound Chapter
Olympia, WA
www.pianova.net
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