>I hope you don't do free estimates. I agree! Do any techs on the List give free estimates? David. > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "pryan2" <pryan2@the-beach.net> >To: <pianotech@ptg.org> >Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2001 7:41 PM >Subject: To tune or not to tune? > > >> This week (and it's only Thursday) I have been called out to tune three >> un-tunable (upright) pianos which the owners indicated on the phone were >> tunable, even though they were 80 to 100 years old. When I arrived at >the >> homes, the pianos were wrecks with the expected rust, corrosion, and rot. >> To these owners, a tuning meant a rebuild. In each case, I left without >> tuning. How can I avoid this in the future? Is there a number of >years-old >> that you will not go out for a tuning? How do I weed out the tunable >> pianos from the un-tunable pianos on the phone? >> >> Phil Ryan >> Miami Beach, FL >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos@hotmail.com> >> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> >> Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2001 1:38 AM >> Subject: Re: Pin fluids..was-- Bridge caps >> >> >> > >> > Jim: >> > >> > Would you then consider using varnish as driving fluid on a restringing >> job >> > where you are reusing the old block? With what effect? >> > >> > David Love >> > >> > >From: JIMRPT@AOL.COM >> > >Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org >> > >To: pianotech@ptg.org >> > >Subject: Pin fluids..was-- Bridge caps >> > >Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 01:00:58 EDT >> > > >> > > >> > >In a message dated 4/03/2001 10:41:07 PM, Dale wrote: >> > > >> > ><<"I've wondered about driving fluids >> > > >> > >as well but have not used them.">> >> > > >> > >Dale a Cuba Libre ain't bad on a warm day and...... it sho makes >working >> > >less >> > >painful! :-) >> > > >> > > Undoubtedly you will get several "opinions" in this thread so here's >> > >mine....OK? >> > >A good pin driving aid will contain 3(?) qualities and these are: >> > >1.) ease of use/application. >> > >2.) consistency of results. >> > >3.) aid in stringing effort. >> > > >> > > My favorite weapon of choice is Spar Varnish because it is: >> > >1.) easy to use/apply. (little dab'll do you and too much won't effect >> long >> > >term results. >> > >2.) gives verrry consistent results. >> > >3.) makes stringing sooo much easier (particuarly if you use a T >handle >> > >like >> > >I do. >> > > >> > > The varnish acts as a sealer/lubricant while it is still wet and as >a >> > >sealer/ snap retardant when it is dry. Turning pins in a wet pinblock >> > >treated >> > >with varnish is aprox 1/4 to 1/3 easier than turning them when the >block >> is >> > >dry. >> > > >> > > >> > > <<"I'm using buldoc/stwy blocks in all >> > > >> > >stwys/Rebuilds and the pins are hard to drive and no matte how >> consistently >> > > >> > >I drill I.E. same speed,pressure and air cooling there will always be >> some >> > > >> > >tortional inconsistencies. That being said I mostly like how they >> tune.">> >> > > >> > > The five ply blocks you are using are very good blocks...but like >most >> > >things they do have some drawbacks chief of which is what mayyyy be >> termed >> > >soft spotitis. >> > > This happens when two or more layers of the pinblock have 'soft' >spots >> > >lined >> > >up vertically. The result of this is that when you drill the holes >they >> > >will >> > >be a trifle larger in the 'soft spots' then in the relatively 'harder' >> rest >> > >of the block...........also these 'soft spots' will not hold a pin >with >> the >> > >same force as will the 'harder' portions of the plank....this results >in >> > >your >> > >"tortional inconsistencies'. Just the way things are with these >> > >blocks...don't mean they are 'bad'. Short of hand picking ass'td size >> pins >> > >for preselected holes I don't know any cure for this symptom. >> > > >> > >In a 5 ply block with two soft spots together this "spotitis" will >effect >> > >aprox. 40% of the pin length...or if the first 4 layers are all that >are >> > >contacted it will effect aprox. 50% of the pin length....how much this >> will >> > >effect the "inconsistencies" you are speaking of is relative to the >rest >> of >> > >the block. >> > > >> > > If'n y'all likes the way dey tune, and all the other parameters of >> > >stability, etc. are there, then keep on keepin on. >> > > >> > > >> > > <<"My question is this. For those of you who are using maple >blocks >> and >> > > >> > >driving fluids ,do you think it affects tuning smoothness, changes >> > >tortional >> > > >> > >values or is it just a way to make driving a pin easier. My >> > >srtinger(Terry) >> > > >> > >is a little five ft. Italian gal and although plenty fiesty would >> > >appreciate >> > > >> > >any help in the driving each new One ought pins into freshly bored >> > >maple.:>> >> > > >> > > Varnish treated blocks definitely have fewer 'snappers' than do non >> > >treated >> > >blocks,.....in my experience. Driving in the pins is much easier and >> > >setting >> > >coils, applying tension and chipping are all easier by 'far' while the >> > >varnish is still at least damp. >> > >1/0 pins??? Why do you use 1/0 pins? In my opinion 1/0 pins add a >measure >> > >of >> > >flagpoling/twistyness that I don't like, but if there is a gooood >reason >> > >for >> > >using them I might reconsider my thoughts here. >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > <<"Also if driving fluid changed slightly the pin torque and >allowed >> for >> > > >> > >smoother rendering that would be fine.">> >> > > >> > > Dale, treating or not treating the pins/pinblock has absolutely >nothing >> > >to >> > >do with string rendering other than making the tuning pin easier to >> > >manipulate. However that being said I will contradict myself and say >that >> > >having to fight the pin less will allow you to 'feel' the rendering >much >> > >better....or is that what you meant? >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > ><<"The finest tuning piano in the world >> > > >> > >is an old steinway thats never yet been restrung. You know the kind >,well >> > > >> > >preserved and unadulterated. The pin torque is so even and the tuning >> ends >> > > >> > >up being so stable because the pin doesn't wrestle with the >tuner!!!!">> >> > > >> > >Betcha a LARGE cup of coffee that this pinblock was treated with >varnish >> > >during stringing...wanna bet? :-) >> > >My opinion. >> > >Jim Bryant (FL) >> > >p.s. Do a test for yourself....take a scrap piece of pinblock....drill >> > >three >> > >holes... >> > >drill one hole 17/64ths and two holes 1/4"..............(adjust for >your >> > >favorite sizing/feel).....in the 17/64 and first 1/4 >> hole..........install >> > >2/0 pins to the level where they would normally be after chipping/coil >> > >setting/tapping.......in the last 1/4 hole (for the test only) wet a >> small >> > >piece/wad of paper towel with spar varnish and push through the >pinblock >> > >with >> > >a hammer shank...install the pin to the same level as the other two >> pins(be >> > >sure and mark the holes as to which is what:). Immediatetly try >turning >> > >the >> > >pins starting with the 17/64 and ending with the treated >pin.......wait >a >> > >few >> > >hours and try turning the pins again....set the test aside for a week >or >> so >> > >and then try the pins again...let us know what you find OK? >> > > >> > > >> > >> > _________________________________________________________________ >> > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com >> > >> > >>
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC