Pianotech

  • 1.  FYI–UST 9's

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-20-2024 17:25

    I have an institutional contract that includes caring for about a half dozen Kawai UST 9's. The grand style fallboards pivot on brass machine screws that go into the cabinet and they have a tendency to unscrew themselves over time. Routinely, I have screwed them back in on my annual visits but now a few completely unscrewed themselves and the screws disappeared. So now I'm putting a drop of carpenter's glue on the screws in the hope that it will add enough resistance that they won't come loose.

    For the record, the correct replacement size is a #4m-.7x16mmmetric machine screw (Phillips flat head). A zinc plated version can be found on Amazon but the brass screws are harder to come by, I ended up getting some from China on eBay. Actually the steel screws are visually passible and the threaded inserts they screw into are also steel so less chance of electrolysis.



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    Steven Rosenthal RPT
    Honolulu HI
    (808) 521-7129
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  • 2.  RE: FYI–UST 9's

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-20-2024 20:25

    Uh oh...it's no longer a Kawai...  😉 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 3.  RE: FYI–UST 9's

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-20-2024 21:47

    A "Kawas" I guess, Peter. 😂


    On a more serious note, is Loctite an option?



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    Tim Foster RPT
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: FYI–UST 9's

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-20-2024 22:52

    Kawas, that's pretty good.

    I thought about loctite but I'm not sure how tight it makes it and I'm using a brass screw. Also, it's another thing to carry around that I'll rarely use; I'm hoping the glue will provide enough resistance to keep the screw from backing out. The screws are bearing the weight of the fallboard on the flanges of the screw heads, so maybe I'll apply a drop of lubricant.



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    Steven Rosenthal RPT
    Honolulu HI
    (808) 521-7129
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: FYI–UST 9's

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-21-2024 09:58

    I would suggest Locktite blue. Treat all pianos preemptively and then you don't need it in your kit.



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    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: FYI–UST 9's

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-21-2024 17:55

    Thanks for the advice. 



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    Steven Rosenthal RPT
    Honolulu HI
    (808) 521-7129
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    Original Message