[pianotech] Flagpoling

[Ron Nossaman]

On 8/10/2012 11:36 AM, David Boyce wrote:
>> And..... if I'm not mistaken, "flag-poling" can also include a pin
>> that twists
>
>
> Yes, Terry, that's exactly what I meant by
>
> "But in fact they can to some extent both twist internally,"
>
> and
>
> "The string may move sufficiently to be in tune, but only because the
> pin has bent or twisted without moving in its pinblock hole"


Guys, I'd like to see a differentiation between flagpoling and twist. 
They aren't the same thing and lumping them together just maintains 
confusion and defeats communication. Take the very common instance of a 
pin riding the plate in Baldwins, Steinways, and other pianos without 
plate bushings (and not open face blocks). These pins don't flagpole 
much at all, being jammed against the plate a couple of millimeters 
under the coil, but they do skate on the plate and make balancing pin 
torque against string tension more touchy. Whereas, a pin that isn't 
riding the plate will flagpole (just as does a real flagpole) as well as 
torque back against string tension. A pin in a worn and crushed plate 
bushing will flagpole, but friction against the bushing makes the torque 
thing somewhat less obvious. Two separate things, manifesting to varying 
degrees under different conditions. I think they ought to be addressed 
as separate things.

Ron N