Funny how we were just emailing about this! I'll take your advice, David, and postpone this particular step until a future rebuild (considering I am just doing my first full bellly job and have plenty of work through without this fine step of replacing the hitch pins.)
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Duncan Peterson, RPT
Provo, UT
www.TheGildedPiano.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2023 17:25
From: David Hughes
Subject: hitch pin removal
Joe,
Driving them out from the front would be a tough row to hoe, methinks. First, you'll have to take the factory bend (lean) out gently with a punch to straighten them. They will still have a slight kink, which may be reluctant to pass through the hole in the plate.
I would think any perceived advantage of applying the dry ice would quickly get sinked by the massivity of the plate and be useless. What's required here is force... and luck.
I was replacing Steinway hitch pins on every rebuilding job. They can be bears to drive out, though occasionally they yielded in friendly fashion.
David G. Hughes, RPT
Baltimore Chapter
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David Hughes RPT
Vintage Case Parts
Glyndon MD
(443) 522-2201
Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2023 17:09
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: hitch pin removal
David,
Thank you. Any chance of success driving the pins out from the front? The piano is strung, and the plate is not going to be removed.
I have read that steel reacts slightly more with temperature changes than cast iron, so I'm wondering if applying dry ice to to plate/pin area prior to punching might help?
Joe
Original Message:
Sent: 4/27/2023 4:52:00 PM
From: David Hughes
Subject: RE: hitch pin removal
Definitely punch them out from the backside, Joe. First, use a hammer to drive the pins flush to the back of the plate, to wake them up and get them moving. Then, use a robust Starrett punch to drive them through the plate. Lesser punches will bend. Driving Steinway hitch pins out requires much force.
David G. Hughes, RPT
Baltimore Chapter
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David Hughes RPT
Vintage Case Parts
Glyndon MD
(443) 522-2201
Original Message:
Sent: 04-26-2023 16:47
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: hitch pin removal
I will need to remove a few broken hitch pins from a Steinway upright. My first thought was to drill out the broken pins, but on closer inspection I feel the pins are driven beyond the plate on the soundboard side. I'm thinking to punch out the old pins, and wondering about what type of punch or any advice on removing the old pins.
Joe Wiencek
NYC