Question for Joe G. on pin driving fluid: (was Oversize pins...)

[David Love]

Joe:

Are you talking about doing this in a new block?  What is "synthetic
reducer"?  Do you use a supply house driving fluid or just plain varnish as
some do?  When you say "swab" the bushing and block, that implies a generous
amount.  I though the general use of driving fluids was just a small amount
around the rim of the tuning pin hole so that the act of driving the pin
down carries the fluid with it.  Though I don't use driving fluids (I tend
to swab the hole with a bit of violin bow rosin ground up fine in a coffee
grinder), I've always been curious about how well they work and what the
basic idea behind them is.  I just have this thing about putting any "stuff"
into a new block.

David Love


----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett@earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: May 28, 2002 8:16 PM
Subject: Oversize pins in a doped block/Mike spalding's ? re.bushings


> Mike,
> The beauty of soaking the bushings is that the bushing becomes flexible!
> Here's how it's done: Several days to a week before stinging starts, put
the
> correct size/number of bushings in a large jar. (Peanut butter?). Put
about
> 1 table spoon of Pin Driving Fluid in. Pour in about a 1/2 pint of
> "Synthetic Reducer". Mix it up real gud! Let soak. When the bushings sink
to
> the bottom, they're ready to use. Leave the "floaters", they will
eventually
> sink too. When I am ready to start stringing, I extract, (w/hemostats),
> six-nine bushings, (this depends on how fast a stringer you are), place
them
> on double paper towel, on a piece of masonite or any other somewhat
> disposable plank. (The synthetic reducer is pretty strong stuff so don't
put
> it on your prized Work Bench!) (Don't ask!) :-( I usually grab three more
> out of the jar when I have put three in and have strung two holes. Insert
> the bushings with a bushing punch. If they squirt all over the place, they
> are still too wet. You should just get a small amount of "squirt". <G>
> Testing will tell you when they're just right. Once the bushing is
inserted,
> swab the pin block/bushing with pin driving fluid. Sting away, keeping the
> cycle going. When you anticipate stopping, then use the last ones on the
> paper towel or put them back in the jar. I always have strict orders, when
> stringing, to not be disturbed unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, (like maybe
the
> house is on fire or some other dif-fuc-il-ty.)
> That's pretty much it. Happy stringing. And for gawd sake wear ear/eye
> protection!
> Best Regards,
> Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon)
>
>