Pinning Question

[Joseph Garrett]

I always use pin driving fluid, which is phenolic Resin, ie. the basis for
Modern Varnish, without the "Driers". I get it from Rhodda Paints, at their
Factory. Their people at their stores just give you a blank look when you
talk to them about the stuff. :-( It is thinned with "Synthetic Reducer",
which has some pretty nasty chemicals in it, so use proper precautions.
Years ago I did some experiments with and without. I found that the torque
was about 20% higher without the pin driving fluid. Of course, if you drill
to a proper torque not using it, that will work too. However, It has been my
experience that the pin blocks that fail are those that are drill all the
way through, ie exposing the inner block to the elements below the pin. I
like to use Pin driving fluid, as it is, after all a type of varnish, to
seal the wood below the pins. Also, I NEVER drill a pin block all the way
through. Another thing I do, is to take some of the scrap material, left
over from the pinblock just made, and test many different drills for the
ideal fit. When I do this, I make sure that the drilling process, with a
warm drill bit, cooled with air, etc, is exactly like the whole drilling
process. Further, I ALWAYS seal the entire pinblock, outside, with
Varathane, (at least 2 coats).
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon)
P.S.
If anyone is interested in my "Specs Chart", that lists torques, tuning pin
diameters, pinblock drills available, wire sizes (US & Euro converted), and
some other stuff, it is available for the asking. Please do it off list so's
we don't clutter up the list.