Joel

Thanks for the info ! I agree, one of those sites got to have something that will work. Honestly, I understand this is not rocket science, but at the same time I absolutely can not damage the surface of these items. It would really upset me - LOL, and be a waste of money. The tools at Beadalon look like exactly what I need, and I have seen them before when googling around, but was always unsure if they are sturdy enough to do what I need them to do ? They are all pretty small. Yea, heating up the metal is definitely a good (pro) idea, but I honestly have no way of doing it with out possibly scorching the piece, or screwing it up somehow. Also, would that actually cause the chrome plating to be more easily rubbed off or damaged any way at all on accident ? Either way, I do not feel like I should mess with it. Ha, I don't trust myself on that. I did check my local Ace Hardware, and the screws they had came close, but not exact and did not have that "stainless steel" finish/look. The nails were all either not stainless/chrome headed, or their heads were not big enough for the size of the nail. These things were made in the early 70's in Germany. So all the hardware doesn't seem to be exactly what I can find now a days, and over here. I was kinda hoping someone maybe knew of a online place that had every screw and nail known to mankind, and they would allow me to mail in the things I needed with a order, then they could match them and send them back with my order ? Either way, thanks for the help so far !! I think for now I will just by them ones from Beadalon and see if they work (they are kinda inexpensive anyway) - if they work, then COOL ! If not, then I will move to the next possibility which will be heavier duty pliers with a smooth jaw and then use a towel/cardboard custom cut plastic, etc.. to guard scratching. In the meantime, I will be in search of the ultimate screw and nail place.

Third Part (also these pictures zoom to be VERY big. When on the linked page, then click the magnifying glass to view full size):

Second Part (also these pictures zoom to be VERY big. When on the linked page, then click the magnifying glass to view full size):

Hey, sorry for the delay. My internet went out and I went through hell with my provider getting it back up. Just got it back 20 minutes ago. Anyway, as discussed, here are self explanatory pictures of what I need done, how. Also one of the various screws and nails I need. One thing is that the screws and nail heads NEED to be stainless steel, or chrome looking. And remember, the issue here is NOT scratching the surface of these things needing to be clamped. They are chrome plated and VERY easily damaged. I can only post 4 images per post, so this will span over 3 posts of images. Let me know if you can still help. Thanks ! FIRST PART (also these pictures zoom to be VERY big. When on the linked page, then click the magnifying glass to view full size):

Good point, I will take some pictures of what I have to do and post them asap. For now I will describe it as such. Nothing is a "tight space" as they are all various "Hardware Pieces" that go to a old vintage Clavinet D6 (keyboard). These pieces are all off the unit now and all the work I have to do with them can be done while they are off the unit. Once I am done pinching them all back together I then can just simply fasten them back to the keyboard. So no tight space issues for sure. And in this particular case, I do not believe squeezing them too hard/far will be a issue. Actually the harder the better as these thing are being "crimped" in a sense to their counterparts. But not "crimped" as in using a crimping tool. Just metal/chrome "flaps" get pinched down hard enough onto what they are being fastened to (handles, locks, etc..) to keep them from coming apart. And some of them are of a pretty hefty gauge as they hold something that is used to carry the beast around (the handles). Its mainly like the "dressing" hardware, etc.. Pics coming soon. (BTW, do you know where I can find itty bitty tiny chrome or stainless steel (silver basically) nails ? None of my local hardware stores or HD or Lowes has the exact ones I am looking for. This may be another thread I should start, but I thought I'd ask while I had you here. Basically these little nails held in the corner metal protective pieces that I had chromed too. But the nails were rusted and just busted off mainly. So I need more of them. They are way smaller than finish nails even and especially shorter. And they had a big head for their body. If you want I could attach a picture of one of them too. Let me know - or also let me know if you would like that question on a different thread.

Well IDK, and that is a good question. LOL -- I imagine so if I did get a smooth jaw plier like that Knipex, and made sure to not put too much tape on it. And watch it closely as I do it and add more tape if it tears or something. = Baby Steps.. ha. But only if the Jaw is wide enough. Cause the tape will take away its "squarness" and flat surface as it is applied. Hence being too narrow is a possible issue. Plus for the work I am doing I would like as much "jaw surface" as possible. Here is the Knipex: http://www.amazon.com/Knipex-8603180-7-Inch-Pliers-Wrench/dp/B000X4KP1C , its cool cause its jaws are so flat and seem to meet up dead on, and of course so smooth. BUT, here is another pair I just found, and they have a nice wide, big jaw surface area. http://www.bonanza.com/booths/KentSupplies/items/8__Running_Pliers__Smooth_Jaw__Plastic_Coated_Handles So I do not know which would be best ? What do you think ? And why ? The 2nd pair do have a way better looking jaw surface area, but the jaws seem to not "meet up" together as squarely as the Knipex. Also, I noticed that each of these pliers have a different "squeezing" mechanism/attribute to them. The Knipex are like a ratcheting squeeze or something, and the 2nd pair are more the traditional squeezing type. So IDK ?? What do you think would be best for my particular project ? Thanks --

Hey thanks for the great info guys. Toolman, I have actually seen those, but everyone I find seems to be too small for my job (jaws are not wide enough to cover a good amount of area on the surface I am trying to squeeze together). Also, they seem possibly not strong enough for a couple of the things I will be bending. BUT they do seem like exactly what I am looking for, just in a larger size. I will look more around now that you gave me the companies names. Alititude777, that is actually a good idea, but I would hate for that coating to tear during a heavy squeeze. BUT it gave me a good idea. Let me know if you guys think this will work or not. I found a plier made by Kipnex or something like that. It is called a "Smooth Jaw" plier. And it comes in 7", 10", 12", etc.. sizes. Now if I got that smooth jaw plier, and then either coated it with that stuff a BUNCH of times, it may work better and be more careful to my surfaces ? OR get that smooth jaw thing, and just wrap the jaws in electrical tape myself so that I am SURE it is covered enough ? What do you guys think ? Thanks !

I am in a funny situation probably not common to this site. I need to finish restoring my old 70's Clavinet D6 vintage keyboard. I had all the chrome pieces on it re-chromed. To get them off they needed to be "pried" off of things and "unclamped", "uncrimped", etc... That was easy cause I was not worried about scratching anything at that point. NOW, I am ready to put everything back together, and I need a way to re-squeeze, reclamp, recrimp all the pieces back to their retrospective things and places. BUT I absolutely can NOT scratch or damage the surface of these at all. Somethings are pretty thin gauge and will bend easily, so the old wood or cardboard in-between the jaws of a plier tool or something would work somewhat, BUT on the thicker gauged stuff, I was hoping to buy a real tool that is actually meant for this job. Like, very strong plastic jawed pliers, or something like that. I seen some ones for jewelry, but they are too small and wimpy and wont do it. It would be great if they made some 7-10" pliers that were made of steel, but the jaws were made out of that extremely hard tough plastic that like plastic mallets are made out of. That would be perfect ! So does anyone know of anything like that ? Or maybe I am completely off, but I do know this has to be a common thing to have to do, so what do you use when trying to do this ? Not trying to save money, I just want to do it right, so any professional suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance !