Emmons PP changer question

[Joe Babb]

Hi All,
I'm working on an Emmons Push Pull and wanted to clean up the changer and fix one of the lowering fingers that is somewhat bent.
Everything was going along fine and I got the changer out of the guitar but when I tried to disassemble it, I found the end plates stuck fast to the axle. I have it soaking in some penetrating oil. But before I damage something I thought I'd ask. Does anyone know if the end plates were a press fit on the axles of these changers, or is it just as likely that there is some dried grease making it difficult to come apart?
thanks,
Joe

[Jim Palenscar]

Put it in a vise and heat one end up w a torch just a titch~

[Joe Babb]

Thanks, Jim. That did the trick. It's apart now.
Joe

[Joe Babb]

Next question. Now I've got the bent finger out and I'm wondering if I should heat it at all before attempting to straighten.


I'm probably going to use a small hammer and edge of the anvil to untwist this finger edge. It's not a terrible twist so maybe no heat is needed. By the way, yes I know it is aluminum so too much heat is also a no no. Suggestions?

[Lane Gray]

I'd be tempted just to clamp it in a vise.
And also (pardon if this seems obvious)
1) reassemble with that finger on a string you don't lower
2) use a tad less enthusiasm on your knee levers

[Joe Babb]

I plead innocence as far as the cause of the fault
But yeah someone's been enthusiastic sometime in the past alright.

[Paul Sutherland]

If I was you, I'd put out a call for a changer finger. Somebody out there has to have a collection of old pp parts.

If you can't locate a good changer finger, and you can't get it straightened to your satisfaction, I'd try to put that finger on a string that has no changes, or the least important changes of your tuning, as Lane suggested.

[Joe Babb]

Cautious and judicious use of small hammer and small anvil brought it back straight enough.
Yeah, I'll use in on a non lower string when I put it all back together.
Thanks, everyone.
Joe