The Steel Guitar Forum

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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.

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