Bencher paddle and rivet removal and re-installation process.
Bencher paddle and rivet removal and re-installation process.
Drilling out the factory rivets on a newer Bencher BY-1 arm requires care so you do not bend the brass arms or accidentally enlarge the existing mounting holes. Because the brass arm is relatively soft and the rivets are thin, precision is key.
Drilling out the factory rivets on a newer Bencher BY-1 arm requires care so you do not bend the brass arms or accidentally enlarge the existing mounting holes. Because the brass arm is relatively soft and the rivets are thin, precision is key.
Required Tools:
Required Tools:
1 - Automatic Center Punch (or a standard punch and small hammer)
1 - Automatic Center Punch (or a standard punch and small hammer)
2 - High-Speed Steel (HSS) Drill Bit (Use a 1/16-inch or 3/32-inch bit)
2 - High-Speed Steel (HSS) Drill Bit (Use a 1/16-inch or 3/32-inch bit)
3 - Variable Speed Drill (Cordless or drill press)Small Pin Punch (Matching the size of the hole)
3 - Variable Speed Drill (Cordless or drill press)Small Pin Punch (Matching the size of the hole)
4 - Small Pliers or Vice Grips
4 - Small Pliers or Vice Grips
Step-by-Step Removal Process
Step-by-Step Removal Process
1. Disassemble the Key Arms - Remove the key arms completely from the main Bencher BY-1 frame.Do not drill while the arms are still attached to the spring mechanism, or you risk damaging the delicate contacts and pivot bearings.
1. Disassemble the Key Arms - Remove the key arms completely from the main Bencher BY-1 frame.Do not drill while the arms are still attached to the spring mechanism, or you risk damaging the delicate contacts and pivot bearings.
2. Mark the Exact Center - Locate the manufactured center dimple on the rivet head.Press your center punch firmly into this dimple to create a clean guide divot for your drill bit.
2. Mark the Exact Center - Locate the manufactured center dimple on the rivet head.Press your center punch firmly into this dimple to create a clean guide divot for your drill bit.
Note: This prevents the drill bit from walking across the smooth rivet head and gouging your brass key arm.
Note: This prevents the drill bit from walking across the smooth rivet head and gouging your brass key arm.
3. Secure the Arm and Rivet - Clamp the brass arm down securely using standard padded jaw clamps or a small bench vise. Grip the tail of the rivet with small pliers on the back side if it begins to spin freely when the drill touches it.
3. Secure the Arm and Rivet - Clamp the brass arm down securely using standard padded jaw clamps or a small bench vise. Grip the tail of the rivet with small pliers on the back side if it begins to spin freely when the drill touches it.
4. Drill the Rivet Head - Align your drill bit perfectly square (90°) to the face of the rivet. Operate the drill at a low RPM. Apply light, steady downward pressure. Drill only deep enough to penetrate the thickness of the rivet head. You do not want to drill deep into the brass structure underneath.
4. Drill the Rivet Head - Align your drill bit perfectly square (90°) to the face of the rivet. Operate the drill at a low RPM. Apply light, steady downward pressure. Drill only deep enough to penetrate the thickness of the rivet head. You do not want to drill deep into the brass structure underneath.
5. Pop the Head and Knock Out the Stem - Stop drilling once the top ring of the rivet head begins to separate or loosen. Insert your small pin punch into the newly drilled hole. Tap gently to snap the remaining head loose and push the inner rivet stem cleanly out through the back of the arm. Preparing for screws once the rivets are clear, you will be left with a factory-sized hole. You have two simple options to mount your new acrylic finger pieces:
5. Pop the Head and Knock Out the Stem - Stop drilling once the top ring of the rivet head begins to separate or loosen. Insert your small pin punch into the newly drilled hole. Tap gently to snap the remaining head loose and push the inner rivet stem cleanly out through the back of the arm. Preparing for screws once the rivets are clear, you will be left with a factory-sized hole. You have two simple options to mount your new acrylic finger pieces:
Option A (Tapping): Run a #2-56 tap carefully through the existing arm holes to thread the brass, allowing you to use standard machine screws.
Option A (Tapping): Run a #2-56 tap carefully through the existing arm holes to thread the brass, allowing you to use standard machine screws.
Option B (Self-Tapping): Skip the tap and use small, undersized self-tapping screws that will cut their own threads directly into the soft brass walls.
Option B (Self-Tapping): Skip the tap and use small, undersized self-tapping screws that will cut their own threads directly into the soft brass walls.