Pianotech

  • 1.  Delignit drill

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-30-2018 13:16
    I normally install 5ply maple blocks which I drill at about .250".  However on an about to plug a few holes with delignit material and am a little foggy on the preferred hole size for this material.

    Those of you who use Delignit regularly, do you favor .272" for a 2/0 pin (like Falconwood), or do you favor a different drill size?

    Also, I might ask if anyone has plugged with Bolduc or similar maple plugs?  I could do that as well, but was thinking that the greater density of multilam might be better in this application.

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 2.  RE: Delignit drill

    Posted 07-30-2018 19:07
    Letter F drill Bit (.257"). If you want it a little less firm, ​G drill bit (.261")

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Delignit drill

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-30-2018 20:28
    Jon,

    On Delignit blocks, do you use either pin driving fluid (such as marine spar varnish) or rosin?

    Alan

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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Delignit drill

    Posted 07-30-2018 22:51
    I dip the pin w/ coil in powdered rosin (pitcher's bag emptied into a small jar). If you decide on the firm feel of an F bit, drill the top octave with a G bit; those pins don't have to be so tight and you'll get better tuning control.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Delignit drill

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-31-2018 09:14
    For Delignit, what has worked very well for me is i keep the block at 35-45% rh and drill bottom 12-16 notes with drill F, up to around f3 with drill G and the rest with drill H. I use a vortex chiller to keep the drill bit cool. Dull, uncooled bits with cause not only jumpy pins but the torque will drop more over the years.

    If the block has been in higher humidity, reduce the bits one size thinner or use only F and G.

    After the drilling, give each hole a tiny countersink from the top to prevent splitting around the pins.

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    Mario Igrec, RPT
    http://www.pianosinsideout.com
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Delignit drill

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-31-2018 10:45
    I recommend Falconwood plugs -- available from the supplier. The material is superior to regular Delignit. You can get a letter "I" .272 bit from them. 

    However, for hand-boring it might be a consideration to use a slightly smaller bit to account for the possibility less stability with hand-boring. They could advise you. 

    I have used Falconwood plugs and entire pinblocks for decades. It's excellent stuff -- with no documented failures over that time. 

    I use driving fluid. Many years ago our chapter published results of a test we did comparing use of driving fluid or not. Ending torque was higher using driving fluid. 

    I recommend lacquer sanding sealer rather than varnish. It also tends to make for smoother turning of the pin. 


    Keith Akins, RPT
    Piano Technologist
    715/775-0022 Mon-Sat 9a-9p
    Find me on LinkedIn



    Original Message