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Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

  • 1.  Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Posted 07-27-2021 15:34
    Is anyone out there in PTG land willing to tolerate my preference to not spend an hour (or more!) trying to find a reference to what size drill bit is recommended to drill out an old action center bushing in preparation for a new bushing? This is on a sticker on an old upright - although I don't think that would make any difference.

    In the past I had kept my little drill bit taped to my bushing training tool. Found my bushing felt, found my trainer, but my drill bit had fallen off - been quite a while since last replacing a bushing.....

    Thanks to a kind-hearted soul.


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    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Member
    Posted 07-27-2021 18:48
    The hole is pretty standard on action centers. I believe Schaff has a drill bit mounted on a small handle to drill out the bushings. If you overdrill you can use a thicker cloth . In a real pinch you can wet down the bushings and use a tapered reamer to push the old one out. Give me a few minutes to look up the part

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Member
    Posted 07-27-2021 19:29
    Schaff item 3201   7/64" drill bit on a handle

       Go for it - buy 2

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Posted 07-28-2021 01:01
    Spurlock, in his article that appears in the technical exam source book, recommends a #37 bit, which is five thousandths smaller than the 7/64ths bit available from the supply houses. He asserts that this will keep you from enlarging the hole and getting a sloppy result. ​

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    Floyd Gadd
    Regina SK
    306-502-9103
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-28-2021 08:23
    I believe it's a number 37. Now, if that turns out to be a ⅜" you know my brain is fried ;)

    But I'm pretty sure it's #37

     

     

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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-28-2021 09:05

    #37 number drill = .104"

    3/8" = .375"

    Your brain is safe. Well, for now. From this. <sick grin>




    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Posted 07-28-2021 05:39
    Thanks James and Floyd!

    ------------------------------
    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Posted 07-28-2021 07:46
    7/64" = .109". I use a .104" bit to clean out the bushing and enlarge the hole if I need to.  Maybe I used a slightly smaller bit to start, it's been a long while.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-28-2021 09:08
    Now if there could be just as precise a way to measure the width of the cloth rip...

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Member
    Posted 07-28-2021 09:33
    I will stick with the drill bit I have in my kit that has served me well for many years. It is the one in the Schaff catalog and was on the tool list when I went to North Bennet Street School. It is probably worth it to have several of these other sizes in the repinning kit because there are many types of parts out there that may have not been drilled as accurately or have stubborn bushings. Now that the issue has been brought up I am going to check my kit. There is no worse feeling being 100 miles from your shop and needing a tool you left there.

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-28-2021 09:54

    I made a couple by drilling an old upright sticker with the drill I wanted, then using epoxy to keep it in, finally cutting and shaping the little handle.

    Ideally, the drill will exactly take out all of the cloth fiber and not a bit of wood. Having a couple extras close to the standard size can be helpful.




    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Posted 07-28-2021 09:45
    Peter G. wrote: "Now if there could be just as precise a way to measure the width of the cloth rip..."

    I bought a pile of the Renner pre-glued bushings many years ago. I'm still working my way through them. I've had very good luck with them - I like 'em. They are exactly the correct width. Does Renner still sell these?

    ------------------------------
    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Posted 07-28-2021 15:47
    Same here, although I might be using the ones from Pianotek now.

    I run them through the little plexiglass reducer thingee to get the strips the correct size. Otherwise, you'll risk splitting the flange during rebushing. (Pretty sure "reducer thingee" is absolutely the technically correct term for it.)

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    John Formsma, RPT
    New Albany MS

    Live not by fear or lies.

    Over 3,400 Americans die every day from heart disease and cancer.
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Posted 07-29-2021 05:54
    John F. wrote: "Pretty sure "reducer thingee" is absolutely the technically correct term for it."

    Action Bushing Training Tool is the term I came away with from a Rappaport class I attended many years ago. My tool is steel and has three different sized holes. I'm pretty sure I bought mine from Renner.

    ------------------------------
    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-29-2021 08:09
    That is one tool I actually do not have (I don't think). In suppose it could easily be made, or better yet maybe I'll just buy one. 

    Terry, I assume the Renner cloth is heat activated...yes?

    Pwg

    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-29-2021 09:58

    Got one. It encourages a flat piece of cloth to think that curving might be an attractive alternative, at the price of some wear and tear. Well, not tear, maybe fray.




    Original Message


  • 17.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-29-2021 11:55
    Such a useful tool. Hard to believe I've gone 45 years without one. Gonna git me one.

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 18.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Member
    Posted 07-29-2021 12:07
    I want one of those reducer thingees to complete my massive tool collection. I knew I was missing something. BTW its a good time to sort through all of the tools you have and look at the current prices on line and in catalogs. You will be very surprised that the tool you bought a few years ago is 2x, 3x in price. It will also help to have a list of tools in the event of theft, fire, sale of business or your passing on. Don't forget the supplies you have as well as power tools, cordless drills, saws, drill presses etc. 

    Where does one get the felt sizer thing ? I have seen something like that to reduce the size of small dowels

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 19.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-29-2021 12:12
    Renner USA.

    Alan

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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
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    Original Message


  • 20.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Posted 07-29-2021 21:04
    I made a couple years ago, but no longer have the dimension for the 5-6 holes. It's super easy to do with some thin plexiglass and a drill press.

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    John Formsma, RPT
    New Albany MS

    Live not by fear or lies.

    Over 3,400 Americans die every day from heart disease and cancer.
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 21.  RE: Action Bushing Drill Bit Size

    Posted 07-29-2021 13:54
    Peter G. asked: "...the Renner cloth is heat activated...yes?"

    No. Just rub a drop or two of water on it and it is good to go.

    ------------------------------
    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
    ------------------------------

    Original Message