Tight Tuning Pins

[John Ross]

Hi Terry,
Whatever you do, DON'T put WD40 near the tuning pins. You will ruin
the block.
One thing you might try, is to work a few pins, and see if that makes a
difference.
Regards,
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
piano.tech@ns.sympatico.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2001 10:45 AM
Subject: Tight Tuning Pins


> I tuned a 1908 Shaw upright 56" monster yesterday.  Someone restrung the
> bass and put all oversized pins in (all sections have oversized pins).
Many
> are way over 200 inch-pounds torque. I spent two hours putting what is
> likely the crappiest tuning I have ever given a piano on that %$#&ing  -
my
> arm is still in ice! Is there any reasonable treatment for too-tight
tuning
> pins on an old piano? A little WD-40? How about pin tightener - apply,
wait
> 20 years (or until whenever I retire), and tune!? This thing is impossible
> to tune well. I can put an acceptable tuning on a new 1098 or a new
Baldwin
> with the plastic pinblocks - but this thing - impossible! Should I
recommend
> that we sit there and twist each pin a full turn back and forth 300 times
> before the next tuning? Anyone interested in doing this for me? Any
> solutions (she is in love with the piano - I already suggested that she
> consider replacement of instrument)? Thanks.
>
> Terry Farrell
>
>
>