clean - don't ream!

[david c. brown]

>Well, there  has been an interesting mix of answers to the original message
>(repeated below).
>
>I don't feel there's any major defect in the pinblock,  but just heat and
>dryness doing their work over the years.  The client (of long standing) has
>just bought this instrument on my recommendation,  and we're opting for the
>temporary solution of repinning and some action work, rather than
>rebuilding.
>
>The advice on cleaning seems to point to doing it with the brush held in a
>T-handle rather than with a brush chucked in a drill,  and using the
>chalk/rosin mixture.
>
>Regarding reamers,  I'm hearing that it's hard to get accuracy.  Also, none
>of the respondents gave their recommendations for actual reamer size versus
>actual pin size.  I would think this is the most important factor in getting
>good torque.
>
>Maybe a few more responses will come in.  Also,  what about using a drill
>bit of proper size instead of reaming or cleaning, and (assuming I mike each
>pin and try to get good consistency, how many thousandths undersize would
>you drill?
>
>Rob
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Rob Stuart-Vail <rob_sv@email.msn.com>
>To: pianotech list <pianotech@ptg.org>
>Date: Thursday, February 26, 1998 9:49 AM
>Subject: clean - don't ream!
>
>Rob and List

Re tuning pin consistency-

IMHO Diamond brand pins give the greatest  consistency from pin to pin. In
the three sets used in the last 2 months, I have only found one pin  of
incorrect size. The rest were exactly  the same. These pins also seem to
grip the block very tightly, to the point where it is almost a chore to
level them after installation. Somewhat pricier, but think of the time
saved miking a whole set!
As to spoon reamer size versus tuning pin size, I think you would have to
test a little to see which one works best with the reamer-pin- block
combination. A good solid Steinway block will yield different results than
one of lesser quality. Very interested to hear more on reamer techniques.

Warmest regards-


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David C. Brown RPT
School of Music
The University of Texas at Austin
dcbrown@mail.utexas.edu