[Files] Tuning pin bushings

[Dean May]

Even though the original pins were fairly tight, you really don’t want  
any problems down the road. The old block is old, the glues used are  
not as good as today’s, the construction just not as good as today’s.  
Your name is going on this piano as its rebuilder for years to come.  
If pins stop holding 25 years from now it will be your fault  
(according to whatever tuner is servicing it at the time).

If you aren’t comfortable replacing the entire block, no problem, just  
use the dowels that Webb Phillips sells,http://www.alliedpiano.com/index.htm 
.

Make a sled with a column the same size as your drill press column. A  
machine shop can make one of these pretty inexpensively. I screwed on  
a piece of smooth birch plywood to the bottom of the sled. It scoots  
easily enough with the drill press head on it, yet the whole assembly  
is heavy enough that it stays put when you drill the hole. Use a  
double pin block plank for a platform. Angle the platform to get the  
tuning pin angle you want. If you have a helper hold a vacuum next to  
the hole being drilled you won’t get debris build up. Plus the air  
stream keeps the bit cool so it doesn’t dull.

Before drilling your new tuning pin holes, insert the bushings into  
the plate first. Then drill through both bushing and pinblock at the  
same time. The pins will really go in nice.

I used the 1/2 inch dowels for the upright pictured. But I suppose you  
could use the 3/8 dowels they sell and not even remove the plate. In  
that case the dowels would end up the same height of the plate and no  
bushings would be needed. Anyone done one like this?


[Photos at:]

http://tinyurl.com/25njpp
https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/2008-January/000300.html

Dean

Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
Terre Haute IN  47802
-----Original Message-----
From: Lorenzo Lacovara <Lacovara at msn.com>
To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 6:36 pm
Subject: Tuning pin bushings
I am restringing a Bush & gerts grand from 1923. The pins were fairly   
tight so I am going up to 3s from the existing 2s. I want to use wood  
bushings for esthetic reasons but even the 3s seem too large for the  
two sizes I bought from Schaff, Do they compress ? are there any  
available with larger center holes ?

LORENZO LACOVARA

The Piano Exchange
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Hoffman Town Square
2225 Wyoming NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110

(505) 710-9643

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