Removing piano pegs

[Quickstep192]

I know this isn’t guitar related, but I know a lot of people here dabble in other instruments.


I’m in the process of disassembling a baby grand piano.

I need to remove the tuning pegs.

Im looking for suggestions for an easy way to remove them. Easy is the operative term because there are over a hundred of them. It seems like they’re just tapered, but that removing them requires turning and lifting at the same time, but this is time consuming and arduous. I’d sure welcome an easy way to get them out.

[Bruce Sexauer]

If they are similar to others I have seen, turning them counter clockwise will back them out.

[Big Band Guitar]

Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer

If they are similar to others I have seen, turning them counter clockwise will back them out.

Yes square socket chucked in a power drill.

[mirwa]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

I know this isn’t guitar related, but I know a lot of people here dabble in other instruments.


I’m in the process of disassembling a baby grand piano.

I need to remove the tuning pegs.

Its a big job restoring a baby piano, are you simply stripping it down to salvage parts or for restoring, get a tuning key socket (or make one) for a battery drill and just reverse them out

Steve

[Quickstep192]

Originally Posted by mirwa

Its a big job restoring a baby piano, are you simply stripping it down to salvage parts or for restoring?

Steve

Sadly, I’m breaking it down for disposal. I hate doing it, but I’m doing it for a friend who needs it removed. We could not find a single taker, even when offering it for free.

[mirwa]

Yeh its shameful is it not.

I get offered old upright pianos all the time for free just pick it up.

Baby grands or grands, really unusual to scrap one of them.

Keep the keys if its an old piano, the ivory is great for inlays

Steve

[John Arnold]

I once replaced all the pins in an old upright piano, and as I recall, there were 222. A piano that won't hold tune is the reason for installing oversize pins, but it is a big job.
Removing the pins is the most time-consuming aspect of disassembly, but it allows access to what I think is the most valuable part....the pin block. It is usually made from the hardest sugar maple. I like using it for bridgeplates, particularly when restoring vintage Martins. Antique maple is also favored for banjo bridges.
If you do get to that point, I would be very interested in buying it, provided it actually is maple....and I have not seen a US made old piano that wasn't.

[Howard Klepper]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

Sadly, I’m breaking it down for disposal. I hate doing it, but I’m doing it for a friend who needs it removed. We could not find a single taker, even when offering it for free.

Why would you need the pins removed in order to dispose of it?

[nickv6]

Originally Posted by Howard Klepper

Why would you need the pins removed in order to dispose of it?

This.(above)

But if you have to do it you need a powerful reversing electric drill and a proper tuning pin socket. An ordinary socket is square and tuning pins aren't. Although they look it, they actually taper. Use a big drill and lift as you turn them and they'll come out. Be quick or they will be VERY hot when they pop out. There is a thread on them but it's a hairline thread, not designed to work like a screw thread. There are as someone said around 220 pins so your shoulders will ache! If you can, have the piano on it's side then you'll need less effort.
I've done loads of them....but then, I'm a piano restorer!
Nick

[menhir]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

Sadly, I’m breaking it down for disposal. I hate doing it, but I’m doing it for a friend who needs it removed. We could not find a single taker, even when offering it for free.

I get you...

Trying to find a new home for a large musical instrument like a piano or organ is almost impossible. We had an organ in our living that my wife and I didn't use anymore. We put it up free for the taking for a long time but literally could not give it away. We needed the room. We felt bad about it, but we eventually had to disassemble it for the trash.

[John Arnold]

Why disassemble? To separate the metal for recycling.

[Quickstep192]

Originally Posted by Howard Klepper

Why would you need the pins removed in order to dispose of it?

I’m removing the pins to be able to get the harp out to reduce the piano into manageable pieces.

[Quickstep192]

By the way, I got the idea to put a couple of drops of oil on each pin and let it absorb into the wood. After that, they spin out pretty easily with an power drill.

It was a chore and the harp is now free to remove. Now I just need to find some help to lift it out. Or, I may try to saw it up to get it into more manageable pieces.