Dimensions of "Oval" Tuning pins

[Nels Lindberg]

Thanks very much.  I will try the shim method.  I measured a few dozen
pins on my client's piano - the dimensions were consistent to within
the accuracy of my measurements.  To make matters even more
interesting, it's a "birdcage" action.  Should be a fun time.

Cheers,
Nels

On 12/1/05, Joseph Garrett <joegarrett@earthlink.net> wrote:
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> To answer your question: During the time of "Oval" tuning pins, which was
> from Christiphori's time to around 1890, (give or take a few years), the
> dimensions of "oval" tuning pins was all over the map! This was because, a
> lot of manufacturers made their own and the basic state of the art, or lack
> thereof. Understanding how an "oval" pin was made will help you to
> understand the inconsistancy. A round pin was "threaded", (some were just
> "roughened"), a hole was made in the upper segment and the pin was heated
> from the top. Then a heavy blow was dealt to the that pin in the top area,
> usually with a Sledge Hammer. If the Blacksmith was a good one, you would
> find a very consistant side dimension. However, the size of the original
> "pin" stock varied from manufacturer to manufacturer, thus adding another
> variable into the mess. <G>
> As for getting a tip that fits a large percentage of oval tips, .......There
> ain't one available from any supplier, that I know of. The way I've gotten
> around this problem is to collect a whole plethora of "ancient" tuning
> levers. In some instances, I've made a brass shim/sleeve that fits inside of
> the "tip".
> To all of this I say: "Rotsaruck"!<G>
> Regards,
>
> Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
> Captain, Tool Police
> Squares R I
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