[CAUT] pin-block plugging?

[Mark Cramer]

Yes John, I used 3/8” plugs, and on at least two occasions, installed them
right through the plate.

 

I’d be hesitant to use epoxy unless there was a gap. I cut a very fine
saw-kerf into the side of the plug, and felt that the tight fit was a good
situation for the type of glue.

 

Last summer I was re-stringing a 1959 7’ Heintzman with original 2/0 pins
and had the plate out to re-cut/pin the bridges. Note #21 had shims of
veneer in all three tuning-pin holes that was obviously there prior to
dropping the plate in. (!?) In any case, I thought this was an obvious
re-plug job. Not so. The rest of the piano re-pinned just fine, but the
plugged pins were a real disappointment.    

 

Never even thought of ½” plugs though, thanks! 

 

Mark

 

  

 

  _____  

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of John
Ross
Sent: April 30, 2009 2:03 PM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] pin-block plugging?

 

I see what you were thinking now. Yes I suppose the glue would have an
effect. 

I had used the 1/2" plug, I am assuming now, you used the 3/8".

How about putting them in with epoxy?

Were they hard to put in, because you did not have a glue pressure release
groove?

John Ross,

Windsor, Nova Scotia

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Mark Cramer <mailto:cramer at brandonu.ca>  

To: caut at ptg.org 

Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 3:28 PM

Subject: Re: [CAUT] pin-block plugging?

 

Thanks John,

 

I think the hole-boring, bit-sizing, feed-rate thing is likely okay, as it‘s
the same regimen we use for boring new blocks and the results are what they
need to be.

 

I think I’m doubting the strength of that thin layer of wood, and the glue
joint
 maybe I need to let that glue cure for several days?  

 

Anyhow, you’ve had good success with spot-plugging John?  No need to up-pin?

 

Best regards, 

Mark C.

 

PS Hi Wim, I did try a resin repair on a pin-block back when this was being
promoted (maybe in the late 80’s?), but haven’t since for the reasons you
describe.

 


  _____  


From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of John
Ross
Sent: April 30, 2009 11:27 AM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] pin-block plugging?

 

The glue should have nothing to do with a hole being too large.

Bad glue would cause the plug to become loose.

Webb Philips has a glue he sells to put in the plugs.

If you have to use a #2 pin in a hole you say was drilled for a #1, then
either you are using the wrong size bit, or your drilling speed is wrong.

I have found Ron Nossaman's double drilling with two different size bits to
work well.

John Ross

Windsor, Nova Scotia.

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Mark Cramer <mailto:cramer at brandonu.ca>  

To: CAUT <mailto:caut at ptg.org>  

Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 1:12 PM

Subject: [CAUT] pin-block plugging?

 

Now and then I run into a situation where plugging a tuning-pin hole and
re-drilling seems like the only option. IOW, neither an over-sized pin, CA
glue nor an emery paper shim will work.

 

I’ve tackled this fairly carefully, even using a small portable drill press
clamped to the keybed to get a precise hole, but I never seem to get a good
result:

 

I’ve used plugs from both economy blocks and Bolduc blocks. The plugs are a
tight fit to the wood, and really have to be driven home. I’ve used
carpenter’s glue.

 

Nonetheless, the results always seem to end up the same. I bore for a 1/0
pin, then end up installing a 2/0, then up-sizing to a 3/0, and often a
4/0!?

 

Anyone have success with this? 

 

Over the years some of you must’ve plugged and re-bored entire pin-blocks.
What’s your secret?

 

Thanks,

Mark Cramer, RPT

Brandon University

 

 

 

 

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