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Needle for center pin tool

  • 1.  Needle for center pin tool

    Posted 09-19-2022 11:27
    IMG_1830.jpg  
    I bought this tool 20 years ago and the needle broke.
    Where can I get a new one?


  • 2.  RE: Needle for center pin tool

    Posted 09-19-2022 11:44

    When we made this tool in metal shop during my tuning course, we used piano wire for the needle, which of course can be replaced whenever needed. It was held in differently, though, from the side. Our tools were made of aluminum,




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  • 3.  RE: Needle for center pin tool

    Posted 09-19-2022 12:57
    The tool is listed on Schaff and it says the pin punch is replaceable. They don't list the replacement part, but possibly they could send one to you. Worth a try.

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    "That Tuning Guy"
    Scott Kerns
    Lincoln, Nebraska
    www.thattuningguy.com
    PianoMeter, TuneLab & OnlyPure user
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Needle for center pin tool

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-19-2022 13:02
    Page 63 5501N-A steel needle
                  5501N-B brass needle

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    Steven Rosenthal RPT
    Honolulu HI
    (808) 521-7129
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Needle for center pin tool

    Posted 09-19-2022 13:13
    Well, there ya go! 😅

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    "That Tuning Guy"
    Scott Kerns
    Lincoln, Nebraska
    www.thattuningguy.com
    PianoMeter, TuneLab & OnlyPure user
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Needle for center pin tool

    Posted 09-19-2022 14:43
    The WNG tool is by far better than this one.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Needle for center pin tool

    Posted 09-19-2022 17:03
    I had a similar (not identical: mine could be squeezed like a pliar) with
    the same problem.

    Essentially useless.

    It is sad to say, but even in piano tuning, there is a market for tools
    that LOOK good, but turn out to not work at all.

    Maybe you should ask your mentor, if you have one. Secrets you would
    never figure out for yourself: that 's what mentor's are for, no?

    (For center pins I used an actual needle, short, firm held in my hand.
    But I only had to do a few of them, once in a while.)

    hank


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  • 8.  RE: Needle for center pin tool

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-19-2022 20:12
    Both PianoTek and Schaff sell replacements. However…

    There was one guy in my chapter who purchased the updated version PianoTek sells. He absolutely loves it and wishes he hadn't waited so long. Currently I have a used one that I think is about 20 years old as well. When it gives out my plan is to replace the entire tool then, not just the needle.

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    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    Piano Technician / Artisan
    (256) 947-9999
    www.professional-piano-services.com
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Needle for center pin tool

    Posted 09-19-2022 20:57
    Schaff says theirs is different. The replacement needle has threads,, this one doesn't. 
    This is a great tool. It has repinned 1000s of center pins. It is well made and not sloppy like the schaff version.
    I'll check out WNG 




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  • 10.  RE: Needle for center pin tool

    Posted 09-19-2022 22:57
    WNG Pinning Tool is superior. You'll notice it the first time you squeeze the handle. The machining is spot on.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Needle for center pin tool

    Posted 09-20-2022 11:20
    Yes Jon,, that is why I bought this one. The machining is spot on. 
    It's not the one like Schaff sells.
    I don't know who made it. I bought it at a convention in about 2002. Someone asked me if it was worth 4 times what they sell the others for. I would have to say after pinning sets of hammer flanges and such,,, YES. 
    It just needs a new pin. It is replaceable. 
    I'm thinking of a drop of solder on a #18 center pin. I have some of those for repinning stickers on 120 year old verticals. 




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  • 12.  RE: Needle for center pin tool

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-20-2022 06:30
    I think Robert Callahan may have made the version Keith has. He definitely made a red one. It was very well made. I think PianoTek made a red one too. As Jon wrote the WNG version is most excellent.

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    Patrick Draine RPT
    Billerica MA
    (978) 663-9690
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    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Needle for center pin tool

    Posted 09-20-2022 11:23
    Thank you Patrick
    Is Callahan from the SF Bay Area?
    Is he still around?



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