Pianotech

  • 1.  Cleaning agraffes

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-19-2023 20:21

    Do you have any tips or tricks to clean a set of agraffes that are removed from a piano and getting ready to be reinstalled ?  

    Thanks!



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    Tim Foster
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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  • 2.  RE: Cleaning agraffes

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-19-2023 21:41

    My approach is probably a little too close to full-hobby mode, but here it is.  I chuck up a 3" cloth wheel in my drill press, and use rouge polishing compound to shine up the agraffes.  I drill a hole of an appropriate size in the end of a 3/8" or 1/2" dowel, and use my agraffe tool to screw the agraffe in.  After a few, fingers alone will do the job.  Once the agraffe is clean, I ream it with the Pianotek agraffe reamer AR-12, either chucked up in a heavy duty pin vise Pianotek PV-93 or my cordless drill set to slow speed.  Skip this step if the agraffe has a steel insert that intersects with the top surface of the holes.  I finish the job with a lacquer formulated for use on brass.  There are at least a couple of aerosol options on the market.



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    Floyd Gadd RPT
    Regina SK
    (306) 502-9103
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  • 3.  RE: Cleaning agraffes

    Posted 02-19-2023 22:15
    I think replacing is best if you want insurance against breakage. Plus the holes get a groove in them which may not be desirable. ReMing the holes with a brass bit gives a nicer profile in the hole.
    -chris





  • 4.  RE: Cleaning agraffes

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-20-2023 15:05

    Thanks, Floyd, for sharing your method!  I slightly modified it because I don't have a good polishing wheel for my bench grinder.  I used a dremel with a polishing felt.  I already had the reamer you suggested which also worked well.  If I ever rebuild one for someone else, I'll just buy new ones, but this is my own and I need to keep the price down where I can.  :)



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    Tim Foster
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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  • 5.  RE: Cleaning agraffes

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-19-2023 23:04
    First, keep them in order. 
    Second, if any spacers/washers come out, make note on how many, so you can put the same number in the same hole. 
    Third, make sure each hole in each agraff is completely clean before putting it back in. 






  • 6.  RE: Cleaning agraffes

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-20-2023 04:14

    Absolutely replace them. 



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    David Love RPT
    www.davidlovepianos.com
    davidlovepianos@comcast.net
    415 407 8320
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