No Bushings/Tuning Pin Size

[Farrell]

Thanks for your response Ralph. Can I assume that the square would be like
any other piano without bushings in that ideally the pin should not be
touching the forward edge of the hole, i.e. it should be centered? I have
another square in my shop and every pin is leaning forward laying on the
string side of the plate hole. I assume this condition is largely from wear
and widening of the tuning pin hole, allowing the pin to lean forward. But
just asking to be sure because I have not seen many of these. Thanks.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ralph & Frances Thorn" <pianoralph@sympatico.ca>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2001 8:09 PM
Subject: Re: No Bushings/Tuning Pin Size


> Hello Terry,
> You're right about the 4/0 pins- probably installed some time ago, but
> not likely quite 200 years ago.  I've seen some squares that sure look
> that old but have just been abused since 1900 when techs decided they
> didn't or wouldn't work on them anymore.
>
> I'd use 2/0 pins in your new plugs, since 2/0 gives a good feel.  Most
> (all?) squares that I've seen have no plate bushings, and some had 2/0
> pins, some had 1/0 and others  were much smaller.  Most older pianos
> had oblong head pins.  I wouldn't worry much about plate thickness,
> just get the coils down nicely to achieve a good slope, and your work
> will be so much of an improvement over what was there previous.
> You're a brave man to tackle a large project on a square.  Best of
> luck.
>
> Ralph Thorn
> a Canadian square guy
>
>