Pianotech

  • 1.  NEW! Scorpion Hybrid Pinblocks

    Posted 04-19-2021 15:09
    First, i want to thank this forum for posting much info regarding hybrid pinblocks in the past, which inspired me to experiment in this direction.

    After a year of R&D i came up with something totally new (at least i think so).  I noticed that all the current pinblocks are just different lamination configurations of either Maple or Beech.  My idea was to use a variety of species of hardwood so that the Janka hardness would gradually get less dense further down the hole. I use hickory (1800 hardness) as the top layer which is much harder than maple or beech. The feel is unexpectedly spectacular. The higher torque feels like its much less,  I'd say 175lbf  feels like 120lbf. Very smooth.
    I was only making samples during the R&D and will be making my first full size double blank tomorrow. Now i understand the difficulty of building a press that doesn't warp under high pressure. My press now has the capability of 60 tons of pressure. 
    Oh, when i made the sample that i liked a lot, i nonchalantly said "This takes the sting out of tuning" hence the name Scorpion came up. LOL
    I plan on making a couple at a time for now for my rebuilds, maybe up the production in a couple months if time permits.
    -chris



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    Chernobieff Piano Restorations
    "Where Tone is Key"
    chernobieffpiano.com
    grandpianoman@protonmail.com
    Lenoir City, TN
    865-986-7720
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  • 2.  RE: NEW! Scorpion Hybrid Pinblocks

    Member
    Posted 04-19-2021 22:34
    very exciting to hear you have worked out this idea and using a variety of different hardwoods. I hope you apply for a patent to establish ownership so it is not stolen by someone else. If you ramp it up a nice scorpion logo would look awesome on it. How hard is it to machine ? Maybe the idea can be applied to action brackets. Chickering had them in their grands. Why not make wooden brackets for replacements in Young Changs and other brands with the expanding brackets.

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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  • 3.  RE: NEW! Scorpion Hybrid Pinblocks

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-19-2021 23:16
    That's really cool. I'm interested to see how this develops. :-)

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    Maggie Jusiel, RPT
    Athens, WV
    (304)952-8615
    mags@timandmaggie.net
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  • 4.  RE: NEW! Scorpion Hybrid Pinblocks

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-20-2021 05:04
    Hickory Dickory Dock.  The mouse went up the clock.

    Very interesting, Chris.  I can see this as perhaps a more friendly top layer than the thin delignit multi lam top layers many of us have been using as part of our hybrid blocks.  

    Good on you for this one.

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    William Truitt
    Bridgewater NH
    603-744-2277
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  • 5.  RE: NEW! Scorpion Hybrid Pinblocks

    Posted 04-20-2021 11:01
    James- Thank you for the bracket idea.

    Margaret- Me too.

    William- Thank you. Funny you mention the nursery rhyme. I had actually looked up its meaning a while back. You may find it very interesting. The mouse was not an actual mouse, but the character and deed of an real life individual.
    https://virily.com/culture/hickory-dickory-dock-meaning-behind-traditional-nursery-rhyme/

    -chris

    ------------------------------
    Chernobieff Piano Restorations
    "Where Tone is Key"
    chernobieffpiano.com
    grandpianoman@protonmail.com
    Lenoir City, TN
    865-986-7720
    ------------------------------