pinblock support in square grand

[Ed Sutton]

What was wrong with the original pins?  If they were tapered, there is no 
need to replace them.  One possibility is to spray a quick shot of steam 
into the holes (this lifts the wood fibers a little), then swab them with 
thin CA glue (to size them a little in the lifted position). Then restring 
with the original pins (in the original holes if you kept them in order). 
Just tap them enough to re-establish torque, nothing like the stress of 
driving new pins.

You said it was a Gilbert. A few months ago I examined a Gilbert square 
which had been restrung with modern pins. The block was split along much of 
its length. Driving an oversized, straight-sided pin into a tapered hole is 
an excellent way to split a piece of wood.  If you don't have the original 
pins, you need to use the smallest pin that will hold with a light tap.

Ed Sutton


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Anne Acker" <a.acker at comcast.net>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2008 9:29 AM
Subject: pinblock support in square grand


>
> Mark,
>
> You don't need to bash these pins in, nor should they be anywhere near as 
> tight as in a modern piano.  The tensions on the strings are not as high 
> as for a modern piano.   I trust you did your homework and analyzed the 
> original wire and calculated out what the tensions and strains should be 
> for A435?  You shouldn't need a pinblock support unless you feel the need 
> to bash too-tight of pins in really hard.
>
> aa
>
>
>
>
>
> From: "Mark McConnell" <mconnell1 at instruction.com>  [ Save Address ]
> Reply-to: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: pinblock support in square grand
> Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:17:15 -0500
>
> I am assisting a tech in restringing a circa 1840 square grand. There 
> doesn't seem to be any way to use a pinblock support when hammering in the 
> new pins, since the case is built around the block. Should I assume 
> support is not needed? Does anyone have any experience with these? Thank 
> you.
> Mark
>
>
> --
> Anne Beetem Acker
> Historic Keyboard Specialist
> http://www.pianogrands.com
> http://www.anneackerkeyboards.com
> 912-704-3048 mobile
>
>