Pinblock fitting

[Alan Barnard]

Shim the sucker in and see if tuning stabalizes.

As to whether it is "important" or not depends on how well it is screwed to
the plate, if it is mortised into the case or stretcher, or is more of a
free floater.

In general, if it is NOT important, then a kajillion manhours have been
wasted by manufacturers and rebuilders to bed the suckers properly!!! Yes,
it's important.

How tight are those pins? It seems like "rocking" instabilitiy wouldn't
take two weeks to show up.

Since the customer is confused by previous advice and research, if the
flange fit IS a problem but the pins are tight and I think I'd flip it over
and use wood and epoxy to fill the gaps rather than try to sell a bigger
job. Don't forget the drop cloth!

Alan Barnard
Salem, Missouri


> [Original Message]
> From: Ted Simmons <tsimmons4@cfl.rr.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 02/05/2006 2:58:05 PM
> Subject: Pinblock fitting
>
> What¹s the latest on whether or not a pinblock should butt against the
plate
> flange?  I have a customer who has a rebuilt piano that won¹t hold tune
for
> even a day and when I removed the action and checked the pinblock-to-plate
> fit I found gaps throughout, some as much as 1/8 inch.  Two weeks after I
> tuned it I found it over 20 cents flat and had to give it a pitch raise. 
A
> few weeks later it was overly flat again and in need of a pitch raise.  I
> explained to the customer about the pinblock to plate flange fit but he
said
> that he was told by the rebuilder that such a thing was not important.  To
> top it off he did some research and got conflicting comments.  Some said
the
> piano is OK as is while others held to the conviction that the gaps in the
> pinblock are the problem with his piano.  I need some backup in my
> assessment, either pro or con.
>
> Ted Simmons
> Viera, Florida 
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