Tight and Squeaky Tuning Pins

[Brian Trout]

Hi Rob,

One thing I might suggest is to leave it alone for a while.  Seriously, the
wood in the pinblock will likely compress a little over the next couple of
weeks to the point where you'll like it a lot better.

I know it doesn't help now, but especially after it's gone through a yearly
seasonal change or two, it may become very sweet to tune.

Perhaps somebody else out there will have experimented with heat / cold, or
dry / humid?  I haven't needed to yet.

Good luck,

Brian Trout
Quarryville, Pa.
btrout@desupernet.net


-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Goodale <rrg@nevada.edu>
To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Sunday, August 01, 1999 3:17 PM
Subject: Tight and Squeaky Tuning Pins


>Howdy,
>
>I just finished stringing a Kawai upright.  Before starting
>I always try a few preliminary tests.  My test indicated
>that 4/0 pins would do very nicely.  Slightly tight but not
>excessive, (I would rather see slightly tight pins than
>marginally tight since this will ensure long lasting
>tunability over the years).  I did not ream the holes, as my
>experience in doing this has not been favorable.  Having
>completed the stringing I am now finding that the pins are
>excessively tight, tighter than my pre stringing tests.
>They are also very jumpy and squeaky.  I have strung many
>pianos and have always had excellent results, even on my
>first piano.  This is the first time I have experienced this
>kind of result.  The piano is tunable but not anywhere near
>as friendly as it should be.
>
>Has anyone discovered a way of improving this condition?
>Obviously an impact hammer might be helpful in tuning but
>that is not my question.  I was thinking last night, I
>wonder if heating the pins might reduce the friction a
>little, kind of like heating a tight center pin.  Not enough
>to char the wood mind you, but perhaps it would ease the
>holes a little.  Of course this might polish the inside of
>the holes too and make things worse.  What do you think, any
>ideas?
>
>I eagerly await your thoughts ;-)
>
>thanks,
>
>Rob Goodale, RPT
>
>