many topics

[BDeTar@aol.com]

In a message dated 95-09-05 22:56:42 EDT, you write:

>2.  Hammer technique - Whenever someone mentions hammer technique the
>"problem" of bending pins comes up.  I agree that one shouldn't go
>jumping up and down on the tuning lever, but I don't understand the
>paranoia about bending pins.  I don't see pins loosening.  The only
>problem is when the pins are removed and the drill gets thrown around a
>little.  Maybe there's something I'm missing.  What is the problem
>with a bent tuning pin?  Are they going to break off?

Although I will agree that we can (and do) FLEX pins while tuning, I have to
go on record emphatically oposing a practice of purposely bending a tuning
pin to (assist in?) tunig.

The first, and most obvious problem with actually bending a pin is that it
makes it very difficult to move the STRING in small increments.  The rotation
of the pin will be exagerated as an "ellipse effect" is created by the bend
in the pin.

The second problem is the axcess pressure exerted on the pinblock and tuning
hammer.  While the extra pressure on the pinblock may seem minimal at first,
as the bent part moves around the hole, it will open up the hole as far
around as you need to turn the pin to tune.  In other words, the flatter the
pitch, the more you need to turn the pin to bring the piano up to pitch.  The
more you turn the pin, the more damage you do to the top of the hole.  Maybe
it's arguable as to how much damage occurs initially, but let's play this out
a few years.  The piano WILL get to the point where every bit of potential
torque in the block is needed to maintain tuning stability.

So, to close, by all means, continue to GENTLY FLEX (isn't that what you're
supposed to do when you enter a Catholic church?  :-)....) BUT...PLEASE DON'T
BEND ANY MORE PINS!!!!!

Brian De Tar  RPT
BDeTar@aol.com                         "NO OBSTACLES...ONLY OPPORTUNITIES!"