Pianotech

  • 1.  Bridge pins

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-19-2018 12:19
    Another anomaly about this 1985 Steinway B is that the bridge pins are all running at least .001" larger in diameter than the new pins I intended to replace them with (with epoxy). The new ones slide right in with no friction at all...not a situation I particularly like.

    I could solve the diameter problem by stepping up one size and drilling to that size, or changing to nickel plated pins (however these are shorter than the original 1" pins and virtually disappear into the holes).

    I am open to suggestions.  Got any?

    Pwg

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

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-22-2018 18:34
    So I made my decision.

    However, now I need to ask if anyone has broken off a drill bit (below the surface) in the process of drilling a bridge, and if so how did you get the thing out without making a mess?

    Thanks,

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 3.  RE: Bridge pins

    Posted 02-22-2018 19:55
    There's no way around making a mess. You need to drill out the pin with a 'broken screw extractor'. Rockler makes a 1/4" one.

    Fill the hole with a plug cut from pin block material.

    Once the bit is out, you may need to drill a 1/2" hole to encompass the pin line. Trim to the surface, drill new holes, renotch. It will be an almost invisible repair.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
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  • 4.  RE: Bridge pins

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-22-2018 22:13
    Back in 2014 I had to do pretty much exactly what Mr Page has written. Instead of pinblock I used bridge cap maple. I made a 5/8" plug with a tenon and plug cutter I found at traditionalwoodworker.com and used a 5/8" forstner bit chucked into a handheld drill guide to drill though the cap. I broke the bit while chasing the existing holes with a bit for the nickle pins I was using in place of the originals. Not sure why I thought to take pictures as my entire goal was to cover my tracks and slink away in shame while pretending it never happened in the first place.

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    Karl Roeder
    Pompano Beach FL
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  • 5.  RE: Bridge pins

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-23-2018 08:19
    Thanks Jon and Karl for this info. I shall do accordingly. 

    Interesting Karl that my mishap was just a few unisons always from yours. Same side too.

    Hope it doesn't happen again.

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 6.  RE: Bridge pins

    Posted 02-23-2018 10:12
    On one occasion I drilled  a quarter inch hole in from the side of the bridge, and was able to wiggle the drill bit up out of the hole using some kind of probe, probably a smaller drill bit.  The hole I drilled was through the root, not the cap, and I plugged it when I was done.  I seated the pins in epoxy, which probably gave me a little more damage control when all was said and done.  Fortunately, it was not the pin that terminated the speaking length.

    In this case I was working on a Baldwin L bridge.
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    Floyd Gadd
    Regina SK
    306-502-9103
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  • 7.  RE: Bridge pins

    Posted 02-23-2018 16:22
    Floyd, that's a good idea. Come to think of it, I think I did this. Or something similar on something similar.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page