[CAUT] reaming prior to oversize pins?

[Dan Reed]

Tom,

The Lo-Torque pins, made by Diamond,  which have #2 size tops, and #3, 
31/2, or 4  bodies, are ideal for restringing, using the existing 
blocks. Very fine pins.

Dan

pianoarts at tx.rr.com.


  On Apr 3, 2009, at 12:34 PM, McNeilTom at aol.com wrote:

> 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.
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