List - Fortunately, I haven't had any broken tuning pins, although I have had some pianos with such tight pins, I was sure they would/should break. Maybe they hung together just enough for the next tuner to snap them off! I did have the misfortune of having an agraffe break while tuning on an older Chickering grand. The sound of that bereaking (actually the sound of the strings) was enough to bring the customer quickly into the room to see what great damage I had done to her piano. I was surprised at how easily the broken stub came out. Not having the correct *fishtail* tool with me, I was able to get the stub out by using my jack spring reamer. Of course, I had to replace that tool, but it did work! If you want to hear planty about broken and weak agraffes, especially on older Steinways, talk to Isaac Sadigursky. He published a few articles in the Journal a few years ago on the subject. John Elving, RPT Elving's Piano Service Sacramento, CA (Home of the 1997 CA State Convention, February 21-23) JElving@aol.com
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