Hi Wim. I have plugged several pin blocks with the plate out. I use 1/2-inch plugs. I have not done one with the plate in. However, I have heard a number of stories claiming success - and its not all that different with the plate in. My understanding is for a case like this you use a plug the size of the hole in the plate or smaller. Drill out the bushing with a 7/16" or 13/32" drill and stick the biggest plug you can in there. I'm told a 3/8" plug will work fine in a case like this. If you prefer, use a 3/8" drill bit or just a tad larger - a lot of that depends on what kind of glue you will be using. For this type of repair I would recommend a close fit and Titebond. But if you like epoxy - use a looser fit and go for it! I use a very loose fit and epoxy in my plate-out jobs. If the piano is too cruddy to put a new pinblock in, I would not worry too much about drilling out the plate a tad. The cast iron drills real easy - not really any harder than the maple block. ----- Original Message ----- From: <Wimblees@AOL.COM> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2002 6:46 PM Subject: Re: Was shim pins/now crack options > In a message dated 2/18/02 5:09:40 PM Central Standard Time, > mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com writes: > > > > If there are cracks and it appears a shim may not hold well, perhaps the > > thing to consider is a plug and drill for the original size pin. Not really > > very difficult to do at all and very long lasting. > > > > Terry Farrell > > > Terry > > Plugs are good if the plate has been removed. The repair we are talking > about is with the plate still in the piano. Even if there is a plate bushing, > the diameter of the plug will not be big enough to then also drill a hole for > the tuning pin, (unless you first drill out the plate and that will be even > more work, and is not warranted for this kind of repair.) > > Wim >
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