Paul Unless you're positive that a new block was installed, the best solution is a new block. Someone once told me, and I have personal experiences, that Baldwin blocks do not repin well. Before re-pinning, the blocks didn't feel like they needed to be replaced, but for some reason, within a couple of years, I wound up having to do that anyway. If replacing is still not an option, since you said the pins were set too high, why don't you try driving the pins first? Be sure to support the block, and of course you'll have to retune a couple of times, but that's still easier than re-pinning. Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT Piano Tuner/Technician Mililani, Oahu, HI 808-349-2943 Author of: The Business of Piano Tuning available from Potter Press www.pianotuning.com -----Original Message----- From: Paul Milesi <paul at pmpiano.com> To: PTG Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org> Sent: Tue, Sep 22, 2009 7:03 am Subject: [pianotech] Tuning Pin Replacement AFTER CA Glue I would appreciate any advice anyone might be able to offer me regarding replacing the tuning pins in a 1961 Baldwin L with, I believe, a replacement pinblock that was subsequently treated with CA glue. Will the old CA glue cause any problems when pounding in new pins. I think one size larger would yield adequate torque. The piano is in a school, and was “rebuilt” at some point in the past. It has “new-ish” hammers, shanks, flanges, a shimmed and refinished soundboard, possibly recapped bridge, new-ish bass strings (still shiny). Fundamentally a nice piano. It appears a new block was installed, and the piano definitely has been restrung. Unfortunately, the tuning pins were left waaaaay too far out of the block, and most are flagpoling. Some sections were pounded down (later, I assume, by someone else?), but must be this failed to provide adequate torque, so CA glue was used on some pins (visual evidence, feel). Excessive dryness from HVAC has been a chronic problem in this facility since it opened in 1961. I have a new Life Saver System I will be installing. Why re-pin? Because I’m not a fan of pinblock restorer or CA glue. So to get the torque up I am thinking of trying a full re-pinning. There’s no money for another rebuild or move to shop, so I am trying to make this piano serviceable where it is in the band and small group rehearsal room (currently in use there). With tuning stability, it’s parts indicate it could be well-regulated and voiced, becoming a very clean, respectable rehearsal room piano (6’1”). Thanks for the help. Paul -- Paul Milesi Registered Piano Technician (RPT) Piano Technicians Guild (202) 667-3136 (202) 246-3136 Cell E-mail: paul at pmpiano.com Website: http://www.pmpiano.com Address: 3000 7th Street NE, Apt. 204 Washington, DC 20017-1402 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20090922/f6a30632/attachment.htm>
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