The Mellotron Group

I would think most people would be wise enough to remove the roller from  
the key. Still, alcohol will not resolve the problem...ever. You might get a  
temporary loosening, but that's all. The only way to fix the problem 
properly is  to lay the pinch roller on its side on a hard surface. While holding 
a nail set  or something similar (the pointed end of a large nail will do) 
against the end  of the axle, carefully pry the bracket side upward using a 
very thin  screwdriver and the axle should pop free. Take care not to bend 
the  bracket if possible. Now flip the roller over and use the nail set (or 
nail) to  again hold the axle in place and pry the other end loose. 
 
Now, with both sides separated from the axle, carefully wiggle the roller  
and axle free. Remove the axle and clean the debris from it (I use a Dremel 
and  a small wire wheel for this). Then take a cotton swab with most of the 
cotton  removed and use it to ram tiny cotton balls through the hub center. 
You can soak  the cotton balls in alcohol or Dirtex or anything else you 
wish. Find a drill  bit that just passes through the hub (7/64ths I think) and 
just run it though a  few times with your hand while keeping it from 
turning. The intent is to remove  only stubborn debris from the hole, not to 
enlarge it. Clean the hole again. Now  take a pair of long nose pliers and 
carefully straighten and realign the pinch  roller brackets. Check to see that the 
axle passes freely through the hub  without binding. If so, insert the axle 
into the hub and carefully wiggle the  pinch roller back into the bracket. 
Seat the axles into the holes and then lay  the roller on its side and gently 
tap the axle back into the hole in the bracket  and lightly peen it. Flip 
it over and do the other side. Done. 
 
Now make sure to never oil it again. You should never need to.
 
Frank
 
 
In a message dated 12/10/2009 9:21:36 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
astroboy@cinci.rr.com writes:

There's  wood in a pinch roller? Not in  mine.