I have found a few simple things to speed up the installation of new
upright backchecks somewhat,  and wanted to share it with the group.

If you are replacing the entire back check, wood and all, then you can
quickly get blisters on your fingers while turning the whole set off of
the wires. the solution is a simple 3/8 drive metric deep well socket,
with felt glued to the inside with shellac or plastic glue, to prevent
marring the wood. depending on the style of backcheck, (a 15 MM deep
well in my case), 6" extension with a ratchet  Make sure you hold the
wippen to prevent damaging the flange.  To prevent excess friction, a
little graphite or other lubricant on the threads will make installing
the new backchecks easier.

When installing the new back-checks on the wires, it is very difficult
to install them level. counting the "turns" will not work. a straight
edge is very difficult to use, due to the wippens moving around. leaving
a thread exposed on the wire will not work either, because often, the
wires are not always embedded in the wippens in the same place.

A simple solution is to cut a soda straw to the proper length. Then
slit the straw down it's side (similar to a hammer repair sleeve) so it
can be removed from the wire. slip the straw over the wire against the
base of the wippen, screw the backcheck down with the modified socket
until it just touches the straw. remove the straw, and proceed to the
next one.

Back to work...

Andy Taylor
Tempola Music Rolls