Pinblocks and o/s pins

[Bill Ballard]

At 6:50 AM +0000 5/13/02, Stephen Airy wrote:
>I'm planning on restringing my piano soon, and I don't plan to pull the
>plate.  The pins probably have around 40-70 inch-pounds of torque on
>them.

Definitely too low. For me, if the torque drops much below 60 "/#, I 
can't feel the bottom end of the pin break free of deep grip. BTW, 
the first indication of what kind of block you have comes when you 
drive the pins. They will nearly double (and more, if you don't check 
for tapered pins). Look for 100 "/#. That pinblock would give me a 
good comfortable handshake. You did drive the pins already, didn't 
you?

>Would you all recommend 3/0 or 4/0 pins, and/or should I plug
>and drill, or how should I do it?  I don't want the tuning pins to be
>extremely tight, but I want it to stay in tune longer than a few hours
>to a couple days to a week.  :)

Don't ask us, ask the piano. Drive in a sample 3/0, and if the 
initial readings fade to greatly, try a 4/0. Record the Temp/RH, as 
well as the release torque of the old and new pins. Exam the old pins 
for signs of rust or other contamination, and inspect what pinblock 
is a visible. Here is also where you may decide to  remove the plate. 
No better way to diagnose the block, and also to repair it.

>I should also mention that the bass bridge is cracked along the
>speaking side of the lowest several bichord unisons.  An RPT friend
>told me I should work some superglue in the crack (that in some places
>is maybe half the width of the bridge pins) and clamp it.  What would
>you say I should do?

I think it's wonderful that this is what you want for your birthday. 
But I don't think you want your first attempt to be so hastily 
planned that the next such opportunity (maybe a year from now) would 
have to be spent in redoing something which didn't get properly 
prepared for this time at it. At the very least there's the chance 
that a poor result in your turn at it this year might discourage you 
from further efforts (and successes).

What I'd suggest is coming up with the extra budget to purchase a 
thorough inspection and report on the condition and repairs, a 
consultation. Actually, if you sought out your nearest (or most 
interesting) PTG chapter, possibly even one who has a member on PTx 
(this list), you might find someone willing to donate such a visit, 
or at least talk you through it on the phone. (They'd tell you where 
to shine your flashlight, and you'd tell them what you saw.)

But I don't think the internet is the place to get these questions 
answered. Keep us posted.

Bill Ballard RPT
NH Chapter, P.T.G.

"Woh"
     ...........Keanu Reeves in "The Matrix"
+++++++++++++++++++++