drilling block without plate bushings

[Les Smith]

Actually, you don't have to move the drill press at all. Once you have
the new pinblock fitted you can use a wood bit exactly  the same size
as the diameter of the hole in the plate, and, using a hammer, gently
tap the end of the bit, to mark the center of each hole in the plate.
When finished, go back and center-punch each hole you have marked. Then
remove the pinblock from the piano and drill the holes on the drill-
press, after setting it up for the 7o angle. Feed very slowly and
you'll wind up with much more uniformly angled pins than if you try
to drill them free-hand with the block still in the piano. One person
can do the drilling alone, if it's  a multiple-piece pinblock. When
drilling the more common one-piece blocks, it's best to have someone
to help you hold and stabilize the pinblock as it's being drilled.
Piece  of cake!

Les Smith
lessmith@buffnet.net


On Fri, 28 Feb 1997, Warren Fisher wrote:

> SGrossner@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > I am preparing to drill a baldwin pin block without bushings and I am
> > wondering when drilling in the exact center of the hole if the lean of the
> > pin will bind at the rear of the plate hole. In other words, should I drill a
> > little forward of the center of the hole left by the plate? I have puzzled
> > this out and can't seem to come to an answer. Guess I'll just have to try one
> > and see. any ideas, anyone? Regards. Sam Grossner, chicago.
> I am assuming that the plate wasn't designed for plate bushings.  The
> most important thing is to have enough clearance so that string pressure
> will not put the pin against the side of the hole.  Use a bubble level
> taped to top of your be hand drill to set the 7 degree drill angle.  A
> hardwood wedge like the ones used in ax handles can sanded to make a
> support for the level.  Hold drill bit at the correct angle and go into
> the hole just clearing the side of the hole away from the direction of
> string pull.  When you pull the string up to pitch the pin will be
> pulled near the center of the hole.
>
> If you are using a drill press, I hope you can move it around easily!
>
> Hope this helps
>
> Warren
> --
> Warren D. Fisher
> fish@communique.net
> Registered Piano Technician
> Piano Technicians Guild
> New Orleans Chapter 701
>
>