missing Steinway nose shim

[Ron Nossaman]

> If the wedge was placed too high as claimed, since the pin 
>block was original, would this tell us something about the way in 
>which the plate and pin block was fitted originally at the factory? 
>Indeed it would. 

Presuming a snug wedge fit before string tension was added in the original,
yes, otherwise not necessarily. I wonder what the factory practice is here.


> We just tapped the wedge lightly into position. 

While I have no particular convictions one way or the other, this is what I
do too.



>I'm still waiting for an apology, following my comprehensive reply to 
>the company, on this and many other matters in late 1996. Werner 
>Husmann are you there?

Yes, but are you expecting one?


> Interestingly, we have found that the 
>optimum drill size, when drilling double flange epoxy fitted pin 
>blocks, will be larger than for conventionally assembled pianos. We 
>believe this is due to the fitted flanges preventing pin block 
>expansion as the pins are driven into the pin block. Where we might 
>use a drill size which is 92-94% of the tuning pin diameter for a 
>standard pin block, the double flange epoxy fitted blocks typically 
>require a drill size of at least 96%.
>
>Ron O

These numbers would put you in the range appropriate for Delignit. Is that
what you're using? Interesting observation, but there is always a price to
pay in confining something made of wood. It strikes me that if the epoxy
bedded double flange installation allows a larger drill size, then the pin
torque levels should necessarily change more from dry to humid seasons than
in a single flange installation, for the same reason that the holes can be
initially bigger with the double flange setup. I would expect more wood
crush from high humidity with the double flange, and correspondingly lower
torque readings in dry seasons than the single flange installation.
Probably shorter block life too, as a result. Have you noticed anything
along these lines, or have you just gotten into this with the new pianos? 

Ron N