[pianotech] Harpsichord Tuning Pin Torque?

[Joseph Garrett]

David,
Definately not the Beech's fault. Bad design was the culprit! As far as I
can determine this one was started in Germany and then completed after he
moved to Vancouver B.C. (Probably his first for the Canada location.) It
originally had 3 chiors. A fourth choir was added, by Sabatihl, at the
request of the owner, ( I suspect a college situation). That extra chior
put the tension over the top and the pinblock rolled and warped, BIG
TIME!<G> Then to add insult to injury, the current owner decided he was
going to fix it and took it completely apart! You don't, even, want the
gory details.<G> It's nice to know that these t.pins don't wear out a pin
block with the numerous in/out situations, like in pianos. I suspected as
much. Once I get a target torque, I'll be able to  achieve that, I'm sure.
I just don't want the pins to be too tight/loose. I think too tight would
be the worst, since the pins are small and  more apt to break. And, the
tuning device, (hammer/wrench/whatever), does not give a large amount of
mechanical advantage, the way I see it.<G> 
Thanks for all of your assistance. 'preciate it!
Regards,
Joe

Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
Captain, Tool Police
Squares R I



> [Original Message]
> From: David Doremus <algiers_piano at bellsouth.net>
> To: <joegarrett at earthlink.net>; Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Date: 9/16/10 11:17:54 AM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Harpsichord Tuning Pin Torque?
>
>   Hi Joe, I'll play with the sockets and see if i can't get you a good 
> measurement. Honestly, there never seemed to be any need to measure 
> this, you get your pinblock stock drill a few test holes and pick the 
> one that feels best. Easy. Sabathil was a harpsichord shaped object at 
> best, you may have a real struggle on your hands. You might be able to 
> get a tuning hammer with hook from Lutz Bungart at www.fortepiano.com, 
> he had some very nice ones last time i checked. When you change a string 
> simply use a paper shim (I use acid free rag paper just to be cautious) 
> about 1/4 the diameter of the hole and it's no problem. These pins don't 
> wear out the holes the way piano pins do. Old school pins are tapered 
> and you can tap them in to tighten them up. I wouldnt blame the beech 
> for the pinblock problems, it is good material, probably a flaw in 
> construction. Hope this helps!
>
> --Dave
>
> On 9/16/10 10:13 AM, Joseph Garrett wrote:
> > David,
> > Thanks for the response. It seems, everything on a harpsichord is 'by
feel'
> > or 'because that's the way it has been done', with little or no R&  D.
Why
> > is that? Confusing to me. I'm resurrecting a Sabatihl that
self-destructed
> > and was brought to me in several "Baskets"! Whoopee!<G>
>
> -- 
>
>
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