Pianotech

  • 1.  Long Balance Rail Pins

    Member
    Posted 10-20-2018 23:48
    I am looking to see if anyone has ideas on where to get 2-7/8 inch balance rail pins. They have worn through the original plating at the balance pin hole and at the bushing at the top end.

    I have considered sending them to be replated, or turning them around so that the top end goes down into the key frame to give them new surface area at the bushing. I've also considered just ignoring how worn out they are.

    Any ideas?

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    Alden Jack
    Smithfield UT
    435-760-3974
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  • 2.  RE: Long Balance Rail Pins

    Member
    Posted 10-21-2018 09:22
    What piano is this on ? If the pin dimensions are the same on both ends you may be able to pull them out and invert them.. The problem is getting them out without bending them and you need to protect the existing plating with rubber or some other material in your plier or extraction tool. When putting them back in there is a danger of cracking the key frame so it needs to be well supported. Not sure what the length of the Wessell Nickel & Gross anodized pins are but they are worth looking at since they are not plated

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    James Kelly
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Long Balance Rail Pins

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-21-2018 17:45
    Wow Jack, amazing these are not available. (Perhaps Jürgen at Forte Piano will have some or know where to get them. I think he has sources in Erope & beyond...)
    Otherwise, if the diameter is available...perhaps make some out of stock brass rod & polish them up nicely....?

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    [Kevin] [Fortenberry] [RPT]
    [Staff Techician]
    [Texas Tech Univ]
    [Lubbock] [TX]
    [8067783962]
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Long Balance Rail Pins

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-22-2018 09:20
    Alden,

    It seems to me that your best (most expedient) solution is to pull and invert them. Willis and David Snyder used to do just that on Steinways back in the day when suitable replacements just did not exist. 

    I assume they are nickel plated brass? Epoxy them in...rebending should not be too difficult. 

    .02

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Long Balance Rail Pins

    Member
    Posted 10-22-2018 18:56
    Thank you everyone for your tips. I agree, and will probably go ahead and invert and reinstall with epoxy. Just for kicks, I did reach out to a local shop to see about having them soaked to strip off the old nickel from the brass and having them recoated with nickel. I am still working with them to verify that the end result with be an acceptable pin worth the effort. The original pins are 2-7/8" x 0.160. I believe the nickel only adds .0004 on each side, which seems like it will work great when bushed with 0.162 cauls. The quote looks like it will end right around $65 - $80, which is a lot for balance rail pins, but not too bad for like-new historic originals.

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    Alden Jack
    Smithfield UT
    435-760-3974
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    Original Message