hinge pins, 3/4 plate

[Dave Nereson]

    List:  Thanks for the responses on the hinge pins.  I don't know how
many long hinge pins I've pushed out of fallboard or lid hinges, introduced
a few gentle bends into, lubed with VJ, and shoved back in (usually with the
help of Vise-Grips and a tack hammer) to stop them from buzzing when
playing.  But I never thought to do the same to a short pin or to just drill
out the hinge.
    It was also interesting to see the difference in total tension between a
pitch level of 435 and that of 440, namely 800lb., or a 2% difference.  2%
doesn't seem like a big enough margin to keep plates or soundboards from
breaking, if they're already on the verge.  But the 11% difference of being
a half-step low does.   435 is only 5 beats low at A 49, and I routinely
encounter pianos that are 7 to 10 beats beats sharp in summer and the same
amount flat in the winter and think nothing of raising or lowering them, if
required.  But with most of them, I try not to alter the pitch too much, and
let them "float".  --Dave Nereson, RPT