Pianotech

how far into the bridge should a bridge pin be tapped ? came across a Behr Grand where the bridge pins are sitting almost out of the bridge cap. they are all new bridge pins, new strings including wound strings. Looks like an oversight . No cracks on the bridge or the pin holes. I can post a picture for comment

how far into the bridge should a bridge pin be tapped ? came across a Behr Grand where the bridge pins are sitting almost out of the bridge cap. they are all new bridge pins, new strings including wound strings. Looks like an oversight . No cracks on the bridge or the pin holes. I can post a picture for comment

Here are 3 pictures of high bridge pins 

how far into the bridge should a bridge pin be tapped ? came across a Behr Grand where the bridge pins are sitting almost out of the bridge cap. they are all new bridge pins, new strings including wound strings. Looks like an oversight . No cracks on the bridge or the pin holes. I can post a picture for comment

how far into the bridge should a bridge pin be tapped ? came across a Behr Grand where the bridge pins are sitting almost out of the bridge cap. they are all new bridge pins, new strings including wound strings. Looks like an oversight . No cracks on the bridge or the pin holes. I can post a picture for comment

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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
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Is there a problem that you think is attributable to this? It doesn't look great but the erratic pin height is not likely a problem.

Repinning the bridge without removing the plate is always a challenge and not recommended. You can see the pins under the strut we're not changed. Tonal problems might arise if:

1. The pins are loose
2. The termination on the bridge cap is outside the center line of the pins
3.  The string grooves on top of the bridge are deep (see #2)
4. Down bearing was off and not corrected

It's usually advisable to pull the plate, pull the pins, sand the bridge cap flat (or recap if necessary) to , renotch, repin and secure the new pins (various methods for that), clean up the terminations on the other end by reshaping the capo, if needed, and changing the agraffes, reset the downbearing. Anything less than that is asking for trouble. 

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David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320

Original Message:
Sent: 08-20-2023 15:21
From: James Kelly
Subject: Bridge Pin height

how far into the bridge should a bridge pin be tapped ? came across a Behr Grand where the bridge pins are sitting almost out of the bridge cap. they are all new bridge pins, new strings including wound strings. Looks like an oversight . No cracks on the bridge or the pin holes. I can post a picture for comment

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
------------------------------

how far into the bridge should a bridge pin be tapped ? came across a Behr Grand where the bridge pins are sitting almost out of the bridge cap. they are all new bridge pins, new strings including wound strings. Looks like an oversight . No cracks on the bridge or the pin holes. I can post a picture for comment

I always drove a 1" bridge pin 7/8" into the bridge, so that 1/8" protruded.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

how far into the bridge should a bridge pin be tapped ? came across a Behr Grand where the bridge pins are sitting almost out of the bridge cap. they are all new bridge pins, new strings including wound strings. Looks like an oversight . No cracks on the bridge or the pin holes. I can post a picture for comment

I use the same method as David Hughes, but leave ~5/32" protruding. This allows just a bit more to secure the strings.

At 1/8" the monochords have a tendency to jump off while stringing. I like to have them a bit above the core wire. 

It is easiest if a drill stop is used to drill to a uniform depth and drive the pins until they bottom out. 

I always drove a 1" bridge pin 7/8" into the bridge, so that 1/8" protruded.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

how far into the bridge should a bridge pin be tapped ? came across a Behr Grand where the bridge pins are sitting almost out of the bridge cap. they are all new bridge pins, new strings including wound strings. Looks like an oversight . No cracks on the bridge or the pin holes. I can post a picture for comment

I use the same method as David Hughes, but leave ~5/32" protruding. This allows just a bit more to secure the strings.

At 1/8" the monochords have a tendency to jump off while stringing. I like to have them a bit above the core wire. 

It is easiest if a drill stop is used to drill to a uniform depth and drive the pins until they bottom out. 

I always drove a 1" bridge pin 7/8" into the bridge, so that 1/8" protruded.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

how far into the bridge should a bridge pin be tapped ? came across a Behr Grand where the bridge pins are sitting almost out of the bridge cap. they are all new bridge pins, new strings including wound strings. Looks like an oversight . No cracks on the bridge or the pin holes. I can post a picture for comment

Chris,

Can you elaborate on this self cooling sanding pad?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

I use the same method as David Hughes, but leave ~5/32" protruding. This allows just a bit more to secure the strings.

At 1/8" the monochords have a tendency to jump off while stringing. I like to have them a bit above the core wire. 

It is easiest if a drill stop is used to drill to a uniform depth and drive the pins until they bottom out. 

I always drove a 1" bridge pin 7/8" into the bridge, so that 1/8" protruded.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

how far into the bridge should a bridge pin be tapped ? came across a Behr Grand where the bridge pins are sitting almost out of the bridge cap. they are all new bridge pins, new strings including wound strings. Looks like an oversight . No cracks on the bridge or the pin holes. I can post a picture for comment

I use the same method as David Hughes, but leave ~5/32" protruding. This allows just a bit more to secure the strings.

At 1/8" the monochords have a tendency to jump off while stringing. I like to have them a bit above the core wire. 

It is easiest if a drill stop is used to drill to a uniform depth and drive the pins until they bottom out. 

I always drove a 1" bridge pin 7/8" into the bridge, so that 1/8" protruded.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

how far into the bridge should a bridge pin be tapped ? came across a Behr Grand where the bridge pins are sitting almost out of the bridge cap. they are all new bridge pins, new strings including wound strings. Looks like an oversight . No cracks on the bridge or the pin holes. I can post a picture for comment

I drill the holes and then pound the pins to uniform height above the bridge cap so I don't have to file them at all. Why heat them up? although a very light touch with a belt sander if you keep the belt sander moving will not heat them up significantly. 

I use the same method as David Hughes, but leave ~5/32" protruding. This allows just a bit more to secure the strings.

At 1/8" the monochords have a tendency to jump off while stringing. I like to have them a bit above the core wire. 

It is easiest if a drill stop is used to drill to a uniform depth and drive the pins until they bottom out. 

I always drove a 1" bridge pin 7/8" into the bridge, so that 1/8" protruded.

David G. Hughes, RPT

Baltimore Chapter

how far into the bridge should a bridge pin be tapped ? came across a Behr Grand where the bridge pins are sitting almost out of the bridge cap. they are all new bridge pins, new strings including wound strings. Looks like an oversight . No cracks on the bridge or the pin holes. I can post a picture for comment