[pianotech] Reamer question

[Ed Foote]

 >>That is, do I have a good chance of reaming past the dope to good wood?  If so, what size reamer and pins are recommended in this case?

Greetings,
    First thing to accept is that this is a compromised approach. If you want to guarantee your work, and are willing to eat this job next year to protect your reputation, have at it!    It may work well, as I have reamed with bits and had good results. I would use a drill bit of the appropriate size for 3/0 pins ( which may not take enough wood out of the hole to remove the doping).    
     The first thing to do is dull the cutting edges on the tip of the bit; there is no reason to be cutting before centering.  Then, with a grinding stone, very lightly taper the bit for the first inch or so, so that when you enter the hole, (using a hand-held 1/4" drill), that first inch doesn't do anything but make sure you are on axis with the existing hole.  Then, on the plunge, the untouched edges of the flutes, farther up the bit, will cleanly cut the hole to size without glazing or scorching. 
   The reason for the 1/4" drill, held by hand, is that with a soft touch, it will find its own center in the hole and avoid the wallowing out at the top.  
Regards, 
Ed Foote RPT  

 

 
 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20100603/e685f01e/attachment.htm>