Pianotech

  • 1.  Installing tuning pins

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-02-2018 17:39
    I just received my first set of diamond tuning pins. They are indeed more consistent in size and beautifully machined.

    I was going to use them on a 1902 Chickering, 4 part block, which we fabricated to match the original sandwiching quartersawn maple between layers of Bolduc block material. Attached photo was not yet fitted to plate .

    My question is that the Diamond pin threads are much more pronounced - harsher. I'm concerned about driving them into this odd block. I've tried a few samples and had to modify the bit size for 2/0 X 2 3/8 pins for proper torque.

    Do you drive your Diamond pins or turn them into the block?

    Do you drill out the block differently for the Diamond Pins?

    Any advice, anecdotes, wisdom is welcome

    Nancy Salmon, RPT
    LaVale, MD
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    Nancy M. Salmon, RPT
    Frostburg State University
    LaVale, MD
    301-729-4171
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  • 2.  RE: Installing tuning pins

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-02-2018 19:45
    Nancy,
    Under no circumstances do you screw the pins in. Use a drill bit that has a limited shoulder exposure in the hole. There are tuning pin drills in the supply house catalogue for this application. I sometimes use a slightly smaller drill bit and follow up with a chucking reamer to size the hole for proper torque.
    Roger 



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Installing tuning pins

    Posted 07-02-2018 20:42
    The 4 piece block is treated the same as any other block when drilling and driving pins. Support the individual segments well when driving the pins. As far as drilling, its the same as for any other pin...make test holes and adjust size as as necessary specific to your equipment. As well, when measuring torque, I find that when the pin is actually under tension, the torque n the CW turn is about 25lbs hgher than without the wire and tension. 

    Keep in mind, when testing for torque, if measuring torque, torque is highly dependent on how much of the pin is in the block when the pin is at its finished height. Test the torque with the actual amount of pin that will be in the block at the finished pin height. Also, be prepared to "excercise" the pins, as Alan has recently when your driven pins are too tight...nice long lever.

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    Jim Ialeggio
    grandpianosolutions.com
    Shirley, MA
    978 425-9026
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Installing tuning pins

    Posted 07-03-2018 08:14
    What Jim said about bit size for drilling holes. It makes a difference whether the bit is fresh-sharp or dulled a bit, feed rate, runout, etc., etc. Always drill test holes in identical scrap pinblock material and test pin torque.

    And what Roger said about turning in a pin vs. driving. And speaking of driving a tuning pin into a block, nothing quite like a good palm nailer! I have been using my Danair RN-16 for many years now and just love it. Only way to do IMHO. The RN-16 is no longer being manufactured, it has been replaced by the update AH-15. Also, there are numerous other manufacturers of palm nailers these days. I also bought a much smaller Porter-Cable palm nailer that will drive a tuning pin with up to around 100 inch-pounds of torque, but won't drive a tighter pin fully to the desired depth - so make sure the nailer has enough power to drive a tuning pin at your desire torque.

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    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Installing tuning pins

    Posted 07-03-2018 08:27
    Terry,

    The Danair had the nice tuning pin specific nose piece. Now that is is discontinued the nose piece is a problem. What do you use for the nose piece with your brand X palm nailers? I use a turned slug of soft iron in my Bostich nailer, but I would love to figure a way to set the Bostich up like the Danair nose-piece,

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    Jim Ialeggio
    grandpianosolutions.com
    Shirley, MA
    978 425-9026
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Installing tuning pins

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-04-2018 10:46
    Thanks for all this info. Your collective experience is invaluable.

    I should have given a cv also. I have replaced some 40 blocks, including 2 Chickering quarter grands with 4 piece blocks, several years of falconwood blocks, several years of Bolduc blocks; none as extreme as this one.

    I am treading carefully with this instrument as it has presented many difficulties and as I said it is my first experience with Diamond tuning pins.

    Again - my appreciation, Nancy Salmon



    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Installing tuning pins

    Posted 07-03-2018 08:17
    I forgot to add that I have also used Diamond tuning pins many times and have driven them with my palm nailer with complete success.

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    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
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    Original Message