Pianotech

Doing a search here on "pinblock +drilling +humidity" confirmed my suspicion that drilling a new pinblock without mitigating high ambient humidity is a recipe for disappointment.

So my question is, how do I, in fact, mitigate high ambient humidity.

Let's imagine for the moment that I can install a dehumidifier in my university shop and bring the room humidity down from, say, 55 to 60% RH to about 35% RH.  I would consider that a good start.  But the pinblock has been sitting in the shop for a while now, and I suspect wood moisture content will be higher that optimum.

In preparing for a Fandrich "Last Resort Soundboard Repair" I draped the piano in moving blankets and activated four Dampp-Chaser dehumidifier bars  underneath it.  I was able feel warmth on the top of the board, so I figured I was at least moving in the right direction, humidity wise, for that project.

I suppose I could build another tent with sawhorses and blankets and try to dry down the pinblock in that kind of contraption, but I'm guessing.  I would like to get this project moving along this summer if I can, so I will welcome any suggestions you might offer.

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Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
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Ambient humidity swings from around 20% in the winter to 60% and higher in the summer.  Piano is equipped with a Damppchaser and an undercover, but the front lid is usually open, and without a cover that hinders the movement of air between the lid and the outer rim, even when everything is closed, the pin block is subjected to significant humidity swings.

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Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2023 11:15
From: S. Fenton Murray
Subject: Pinblock Drilling and Humidity

Hi Floyd,

I would consider where this piano is going to live and how it differs from the 55 RH environment it's in now. 

I don't think drilling a block that has stabilized in a room for some time at 55 RH is a bad idea. I like to drill a block that has been in the shop for months.

Now, if it's going to a dry climate that might be something to consider but it would take months I believe to bring that block down. 1 1/2 inches of maple is much different from a third of an inch of spruce. Heating an old soundboard to open cracks for shiming is entirely different.

I hope this helps.

Virus-free.www.avg.com

Original Message:
Sent: 5/31/2023 11:47:00 AM
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: RE: Pinblock Drilling and Humidity

Ambient humidity swings from around 20% in the winter to 60% and higher in the summer.  Piano is equipped with a Damppchaser and an undercover, but the front lid is usually open, and without a cover that hinders the movement of air between the lid and the outer rim, even when everything is closed, the pin block is subjected to significant humidity swings.

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Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
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 60% humidity and above is out of the safety zone of 40-50% Dampp Chaser uses in their literature . we do not have harsh winters here and 20% would be rare. However that is not to say a piano owner can use a gas log or wood fire place and change the playing field. A woolen string cover may help with taming humidity to a degree since wool absorbs moisture. Covers certainly keep the strings, sound boards, dampers, action clean and also cover the tuning pin webbing area.
I agree with Chris . The pin block is pretty stable or should be if you are concerned about how much moisture is in it take readings with a moisture meter.  I think you are over thinking this. It is important to select the proper drill bit and change it out as it wears. Trying to ,modify the room r/h probably not a good idea and can cause lots of issues. I had to rebuild a lyre because the house had to have the air sucked out after a burst washer hose flooded it. The company set up a tent enclosure to create a negative air chamber. The wood used to make the block probably already was subjected to air drying and kiln drying

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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2023 11:47
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Pinblock Drilling and Humidity

Ambient humidity swings from around 20% in the winter to 60% and higher in the summer.  Piano is equipped with a Damppchaser and an undercover, but the front lid is usually open, and without a cover that hinders the movement of air between the lid and the outer rim, even when everything is closed, the pin block is subjected to significant humidity swings.

------------------------------
Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2023 11:15
From: S. Fenton Murray
Subject: Pinblock Drilling and Humidity

Hi Floyd,

I would consider where this piano is going to live and how it differs from the 55 RH environment it's in now. 

I don't think drilling a block that has stabilized in a room for some time at 55 RH is a bad idea. I like to drill a block that has been in the shop for months.

Now, if it's going to a dry climate that might be something to consider but it would take months I believe to bring that block down. 1 1/2 inches of maple is much different from a third of an inch of spruce. Heating an old soundboard to open cracks for shiming is entirely different.

I hope this helps.

Virus-free.www.avg.com

I could be wrong, but it would seem that the type of pinblock could be part of the discussion. I would imagine that a Delignit or Falconwood with all the glue is not as affected as a five ply maple pinblock.

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Tim Foster
New Oxford PA
(470) 231-6074
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It is the maple. I am going to do a moisture content analysis, and go from there.

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Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2023 23:12
From: Tim Foster
Subject: Pinblock Drilling and Humidity

I could be wrong, but it would seem that the type of pinblock could be part of the discussion. I would imagine that a Delignit or Falconwood with all the glue is not as affected as a five ply maple pinblock.

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Tim Foster
New Oxford PA
(470) 231-6074
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If you are drilling the pinblock out of the piano after careful fitting to the case and markoff of tp holes  seal with benite and marine varnish.  When  dry

place in a hot box until ready to drill. Use a vortex chiller to keep drill bit cool.

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Parker Leigh
Winchester VA
(540) 722-3865
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2023 23:59
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: Pinblock Drilling and Humidity

It is the maple. I am going to do a moisture content analysis, and go from there.

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Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2023 23:12
From: Tim Foster
Subject: Pinblock Drilling and Humidity

I could be wrong, but it would seem that the type of pinblock could be part of the discussion. I would imagine that a Delignit or Falconwood with all the glue is not as affected as a five ply maple pinblock.

------------------------------
Tim Foster
New Oxford PA
(470) 231-6074

Original Message:
Sent: 6/1/2023 12:00:00 AM
From: Floyd Gadd
Subject: RE: Pinblock Drilling and Humidity

It is the maple. I am going to do a moisture content analysis, and go from there.

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Floyd Gadd RPT
Regina SK
(306) 502-9103
------------------------------