[CAUT] reaming prior to oversize pins?

[McNeilTom at aol.com]

Hi, Henry, and Colleagues -
 
Here are a few observations that may be germaine to your question.  This is 
targeted to the college/university/conservatory situation and comes from my 40+ 
years of piano work.  Most of that time I've been a rebuilder and incidental 
CAUT; however, I did spend a decade as a full-time CAUT.
 
(1) Performance pianos often get restrung at short intervals, at least 
relative to most of the rest of the inventory.  I have had good success restringing 
these pianos, some times even three or four times, without removing the tuning 
pins.  In fact, I very much recommend this procedure if the pinblock is 
performing well.  Much less work, excellent results, minimal expense, can usually 
be done by a resident piano tech, can often be done on location without moving 
the piano.
 
(2) If the pinblock is weak, or the soundboard and bridges need work, the 
plate is going to come out of the piano.  At that point, I see it as about a 
day's work to make and install a new one.  It would take a peculiar set of 
circumstances for me not to do so.  The piano would then be ready for another 
half-century or so.
 
(3) I have in some cases taken a piano apart which had a slightly weak 
pinblock and I determined the pinblock could serve for another decade or two before 
needing replacing.  In such cases I've restrung with good results using the 
original block, 3/0 tuning pins and no reaming or cleaning at all.
 
(4) 4/0 and larger tuning pins don't belong in good pianos or ones expected 
to perform to high standards.  They lack the fine tuning control of the 
lower-circumference pins.  They often cause interference between closely spaced pins 
and strings.  They have an uncomfortable fit in most tuning hammers.  Etc.
 
(5)  Many years ago when I knew less, I experimented with reaming and 
'cleaning' tuning pin holes.  I never found a procedure that I now think was worth 
the time or effort.  I especially found useless the 'spoon bit' reamers sold by 
the supply houses.  Straight-flute chucking reamers used in industry for 
close-tollerance machine work are available in a very wide range of sizes and are a 
better choice.  Still, not worth the effort in my opinion.
 
Hope this helps you some.
 
     ~     Tom McNeil     ~
Vermont Piano Restorations
**************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make dinner for $10 or 
less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)
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