Balance pin holes

[Ron Overs]

Hi list,

Mark Dierauf wrote,

>Is maple really the correct choice for this application? 

(ie. as a hardwood shoe at the balance pin hole)

>I was under the 
>impression that hardwoods, (being denser) were more subject to shrinking 
>and swelling, and I believe that most or all of the old key shoes or 
>inserts I've seen were basswood or somesuch. I put a set of home made 
>shoes on an S&S O almost 20 years ago, and although there's not much else 
>I'm proud of about that job, the shoes are holding up fine and I've never 
>had a problem with either binding or clicking.

>From personal experience, I can assure you that it does a great job.

The shrinkage of maple from cut to ADD (air dry density ie. 12%) is;

Radial: 4%
Tangential: 6%
Longitudinal: 1%

Regards,

Ron E. Overs
Overs Pianos

Email: ron@overspianos.com.au
Website: www.overspianos.com.au