Pianotech

Getting ready to replace the donut grommets on a Baldwin spinet. I've avoided this type of job for long enough. Any tricks to install these without removing the screws? A technician friend recommended heating the grommets so they stretch over the head of the screw. I'm open to any and all recommendations.

 Thank you

Slit them as you do balance rail punchings.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 01-19-2024 19:07
From: Tim Foster
Subject: Spinet donut grommet replacement

Getting ready to replace the donut grommets on a Baldwin spinet. I've avoided this type of job for long enough. Any tricks to install these without removing the screws? A technician friend recommended heating the grommets so they stretch over the head of the screw. I'm open to any and all recommendations.

 Thank you

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Tim Foster RPT
New Oxford PA
(470) 231-6074
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Getting ready to replace the donut grommets on a Baldwin spinet. I've avoided this type of job for long enough. Any tricks to install these without removing the screws? A technician friend recommended heating the grommets so they stretch over the head of the screw. I'm open to any and all recommendations.

 Thank you

Getting ready to replace the donut grommets on a Baldwin spinet. I've avoided this type of job for long enough. Any tricks to install these without removing the screws? A technician friend recommended heating the grommets so they stretch over the head of the screw. I'm open to any and all recommendations.

 Thank you

HI Tim,

Replacing Baldwin Abstract Grommets
Replacing hardened and/or crumbling grommets on metal Baldwin spinet abstracts is really easy and this method require minimal regulation.
•    With the action still in the piano, use a hook to pull the lower hook of the abstract from the fork in the wippen.
•    Remove the abstract, with the grommet in place, from the fork in the keytail.
•    Slide the bushing loop off the hook then slide the old bushing off. 
•    Slide on a new bushing on the abstract then slide the bushing loop back onto the hook. 
•    Place the abstract grommet back into the fork in the keytail. 
•    Push the bottom hook of the abstract back into the wippen with the glued portion of the loop facing out.
•    Repeat 87 more times.
•    Vacuum up the mess from the old crumbled grommets.
•    Adjust lost motion via the nylon nuts on top. 
•    Elapsed time: approximately 2 hours. 
•    Do any other work and bill for your time and parts. 
•    Notes:

• Don't spin the nylon nuts off, especially with a cordless drill/driver since this loosens the threads and introduces regulation stability issues. 
• I sit in the floor on a kneeling pad to do most of this work.

    

   

 

Getting ready to replace the donut grommets on a Baldwin spinet. I've avoided this type of job for long enough. Any tricks to install these without removing the screws? A technician friend recommended heating the grommets so they stretch over the head of the screw. I'm open to any and all recommendations.

 Thank you

HI Tim,

Replacing Baldwin Abstract Grommets
Replacing hardened and/or crumbling grommets on metal Baldwin spinet abstracts is really easy and this method require minimal regulation.
•    With the action still in the piano, use a hook to pull the lower hook of the abstract from the fork in the wippen.
•    Remove the abstract, with the grommet in place, from the fork in the keytail.
•    Slide the bushing loop off the hook then slide the old bushing off. 
•    Slide on a new bushing on the abstract then slide the bushing loop back onto the hook. 
•    Place the abstract grommet back into the fork in the keytail. 
•    Push the bottom hook of the abstract back into the wippen with the glued portion of the loop facing out.
•    Repeat 87 more times.
•    Vacuum up the mess from the old crumbled grommets.
•    Adjust lost motion via the nylon nuts on top. 
•    Elapsed time: approximately 2 hours. 
•    Do any other work and bill for your time and parts. 
•    Notes:

• Don't spin the nylon nuts off, especially with a cordless drill/driver since this loosens the threads and introduces regulation stability issues. 
• I sit in the floor on a kneeling pad to do most of this work.

    

   

 

Getting ready to replace the donut grommets on a Baldwin spinet. I've avoided this type of job for long enough. Any tricks to install these without removing the screws? A technician friend recommended heating the grommets so they stretch over the head of the screw. I'm open to any and all recommendations.

 Thank you

Getting ready to replace the donut grommets on a Baldwin spinet. I've avoided this type of job for long enough. Any tricks to install these without removing the screws? A technician friend recommended heating the grommets so they stretch over the head of the screw. I'm open to any and all recommendations.

 Thank you

Getting ready to replace the donut grommets on a Baldwin spinet. I've avoided this type of job for long enough. Any tricks to install these without removing the screws? A technician friend recommended heating the grommets so they stretch over the head of the screw. I'm open to any and all recommendations.

 Thank you