Pianotech

  • 1.  1880's Broadwood with loose pins

    Member
    Posted 08-10-2023 10:44

    Yesterday I attempted to tune a 1880's Broadwood Grand but found the tuning pins too loose to hold pitch.  I found a sticker on the inside of the piano that basically says the tuning pins are threaded into the metal plate.  I don't know how to tighten threaded pins.    It's a beautiful piano.  Also…. Any suggestions on pitch?  It's currently over 270 cents low.  The owner has no preference as long as it is in tune with itself.  See pictures.



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    Joseph Recker
    Plains GA
    (229) 938-6662
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  • 2.  RE: 1880's Broadwood with loose pins

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-10-2023 13:53
    If I remember correctly, while the pins are threaded with a much wider thread than ordinary pins, thye are not threaded into the plate. They are threaded into a normal pin block, which is cracked. (that's why they are not holding).  I would suggest you try fixing it with CA glue. 



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: 1880's Broadwood with loose pins

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-10-2023 14:03
    They are threaded through the plate. Best is to plug the block and drill for modern pins.


    ---Dave

    Sent from my phone, forgive typos!


    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: 1880's Broadwood with loose pins

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-11-2023 02:52
    The system uses a threaded plate and pinblock.  A noninvasive repair often performed is to remove pin and reinsert with a shim of garnet paper.  This has worked for me.  I'm not a big fan of destroying a system, even if flawed, if it can be sustained.   Chalking and repairing in this manner often reaps a fast path to function.

    This is a post of yesteryear from Michael Gamble:

    . In some old Broadwood Grands - those with a TAPPED thread in the frame and using THREADED wrest pins, I have used tubes of fine grit sand-paper, grit 'out', inserted into the pin block before reinserting the wrest pin. Michael (UK)

    Regards,

    Bill

    Bill Shull, RPT, M.Mus.
    www.shullpiano.com
    www.periodpiano.org
    909 796-4226

    Sent from my iPhone



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  • 5.  RE: 1880's Broadwood with loose pins

    Posted 08-11-2023 05:16
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZboO8RiuSA is just such a piano

    Sometimes one doesn't have to do that process as with a feather-lite touch on the tuning lever one can get the pin to stick in position and quite reliably. Ideally detune all pins half a turn first.

    But sometimes not. In extremis you can put a drop of CA on the thread and hold the tuning lever in position until it's set, and it may or may not stick too tightly. If too tight you can soften the CA with acetone. 

    These instruments are worthy of respect. They are very lovely and respond well to an unequal temperament based on perfect fifths so Kellner or even Kirnberger III.

    Please share the video with clients if they need encouragement as to their musical value. Chopin liked the Broadwoods he encountered on his visit to England in the 1840s and they remained significantly undeveloped until the end of the century.

    Best wishes

    David P



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    David Pinnegar, B.Sc., A.R.C.S.
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    +44 1342 850594



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  • 6.  RE: 1880's Broadwood with loose pins

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-11-2023 08:40

    In order to keep with Broadwood's design use a HeliCoil or consult a good machinist



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    Parker Leigh
    Winchester VA
    (540) 722-3865
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    Original Message