Thanks to everyone who replied. Based on all the very helpful input, I think I'll replace the pinblock. Joe and Wim, thanks for the push I needed to just do it and not take any chances.
It's a two level pinblock and will be quite a bit more work than normal, but at lease I wont have to worry about it going bad down the road. The upside (not performance wise) it that it's just attached to the plate and has no connection to the case. Even the low end pianos I've done are screwed into the case. Go figure.
Al
From: wimblees at aol.com
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 10:30 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Restringing with original pinblock
Wim, because the piano was made in 1924 and I didn't know if it had been replaced. I didn't expect to find the block/wood in such good shape. The pins were all tight enough to hold a tune, but a little uneven. I would like to drill to even out the hole size as was suggested by the other replies to my post.
Al
Given that the block is 85 years old, perhaps it would be wise to replace it. I would hate to just use larger pins now, only to find 5 or 6 years down the road that some minor cracks you might not have seen or felt, expanded with the larger pins, and create a problem. Otherwise, the advice you've been getting is very good.
Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT
Piano Tuner/Technician
94-505 Kealakaa Str.
Mililani, Oahu, HI 96789
808-349-2943
www.Bleespiano.com
Author of:
The Business of Piano Tuning
available from Potter Press
www.pianotuning.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Al Guecia/AlliedPianoCraft <AlliedPianoCraft at hotmail.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Fri, Oct 16, 2009 9:56 am
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Restringing with original pinblock
Wim, because the piano was made in 1924 and I didn't know if it had been replaced. I didn't expect to find the block/wood in such good shape. The pins were all tight enough to hold a tune, but a little uneven. I would like to drill to even out the hole size as was suggested by the other replies to my post.
I've never used pin driving fluid, but I think it would be something to consider here.
David, if you could go a little more in depth about your fluid, I think I'd like to give it a try.
Al
From: wimblees at aol.com
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 2:29 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Restringing with original pinblock
Al
Why did you think you needed to replace the block in the first place?
Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT
Piano Tuner/Technician
94-505 Kealakaa Str.
Mililani, Oahu, HI 96789
808-349-2943
www.Bleespiano.com
Author of:
The Business of Piano Tuning
available from Potter Press
www.pianotuning.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Al Guecia/AlliedPianoCraft <AlliedPianoCraft at hotmail.com>
To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Fri, Oct 16, 2009 8:10 am
Subject: [pianotech] Restringing with original pinblock
Hi All,
I'm restringing a Chickering grand and was prepared to replace the pinblock. I removed the plate and the pinblock is in great condition. Nice white wood, no cracks or separation, so I have decided keep the existing block. I removed 2/0 tuning pins.
I'm looking for suggestions as to pinblock preparation. Ream/drill and go up to 4/0, or just wire brush and use 3/0? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. I'm also open to any other suggestions.
Al
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