[CAUT] existing pinblock prep

[Jim Busby]

Rick,

We do this a lot, and there has never been a problem. Sometimes you may need to rap the pins lightly with a rubber mallet as you lift gently on the plate to make the plate let go. It has never failed to release, or to go back on nearly as easily. It sure makes life easier to re-notch, clean, and do other work. One of the 999 tricks I learned from Ron N.

Jim Busby

-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Rick Florence
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 3:33 PM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: [CAUT] existing pinblock prep

Obviously, there is a time to keep the existing pins, which explains
David's qualifying statement "This doesn't address stringing on the
original pins."  David's response was to the question of how he deals
with evening out torque on the occasions in which he does replace the
pins.  Such times would include stinging with bridge and/or soundboard
work on a Steinway (or other full-fitted pinblock) where keeping the
pins is not a viable option.  We have talked about attempting to pull a
plate with the pins intact, but to this point, I have not seen a
Steinway with the pinning angles and drilling consistent enough to
attempt it.  Has anyone done this successfully?  I would love to hear
about it if you have.





____________________

Rick Florence

Senior Piano Technician

Arizona State University

School of Music

________________________________

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Fred Sturm
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 10:39 AM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: [CAUT] existing pinblock prep



On Jul 24, 2008, at 10:42 AM, David Brown wrote:





Re gun brushing- Sometimes when going from # 2 to # 3 pins in a piano
where the torque levels are adequate ( 90 - 120 inch lbs , say ) the #
3's can end up a little tight



            My own attitude in this situation is why change pins? I do
most of my restringing at the university using the same pins (removing
old strings from them, and attaching new strings to them, same
techniques as replacing an individual string, but mass produced). I only
change to a new, larger sized pin when torque has become an issue for
tuning stability. Reusing existing pins requires a different technique
for restringing, but I find that, all things considered, it is probably
a bit faster than changing pins.

            Just another perspective. It does prolong the useful life of
the pinblock as well.


Regards,

Fred Sturm

University of New Mexico

fssturm at unm.edu