Tight and Squeaky Tuning Pins

[bases-loaded@juno.com]

Rob -

This has happened to me a couple times.  One time I let it go and
"wrassled" it every time I tuned it for a couple years, after which it
surprisingly became very nice to tune; firm, but no wrestling match.  The
second time I actually turned the most objectionable pins back and forth
MANY times by 1/4 turns and that was very helpful in that case.  No
guarantee, but worth shakin' a branch or two to see what falls out!

Mark Potter
bases-loaded@juno.com

On Sun, 01 Aug 1999 11:52:37 -0500 Robert Goodale <rrg@nevada.edu>
writes:
> 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
>