Pianotech

  • 1.  Replacing a plate pin (hitch pin) when hole has been reamed out too much

    Posted 20 days ago

    Hi. How do I replace a plate pin / hitch pin when someone (not me) reamed or drilled out the hole too much and now the largest size plate pin just easily falls through it. Thanks!



  • 2.  RE: Replacing a plate pin (hitch pin) when hole has been reamed out too much

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 20 days ago
    Jonathan

    Find a nail that tightly fits that hole and cut it to size. 

    Wim





  • 3.  RE: Replacing a plate pin (hitch pin) when hole has been reamed out too much

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 19 days ago

    Agree with Wim. I repaired a void in a V-bar exactly that way. Drilled it out, epoxied in a nail (16d IIRC), filed it to fit the profile, done. That was over 10 years ago and no problems since. 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Replacing a plate pin (hitch pin) when hole has been reamed out too much

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 19 days ago

    You can also use a hard service, hammer and large punch with a flat tip and slightly flatten the bottom portion of the pin, turning it into a slight oval. Make sure the long side of the oval is positioned parallel to the string line. I have done this and it worked very well. Of course, if the plate hole is considerably larger than the pin, this would not work.



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    Tim Foster RPT
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Replacing a plate pin (hitch pin) when hole has been reamed out too much

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 19 days ago

    Metal dowel pins are available in a variety of sizes from machinist suppliers such as msc,  mcmaster carr etc.



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


  • 6.  RE: Replacing a plate pin (hitch pin) when hole has been reamed out too much

    Posted 17 days ago

    Yes, I've used a nail also with great success.  I used the JB Weld epoxy that is steel reinforced.



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    Neil Vanderschaaf
    Round Rock TX
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Replacing a plate pin (hitch pin) when hole has been reamed out too much

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 18 days ago

    Jonathan,

    Your largest hitch pin can be made oval at its base by crushing it in a robust bench vice. It can then be driven into the plate such that its now-broad dimension runs fore/aft, in the direction of the string pull.

    If this is still too loose, I have lined enlarged holes in plates with .005"- or .010"- thick brass sheet stock. This shim sheet does not need to line the entire diameter of the hole. Make it of a large enough dimension to eliminate the slop with whatever hitch pin you are utilizing. Let the shim run wild either on top of the plate or below, and then slice the unattractive waste off with an Exacto knife. No one will ever know it's there.

    David G. Hughes, RPT

    Baltimore Chapter PTG



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    David Hughes RPT
    Vintage Case Parts
    Glyndon MD
    (443) 522-2201
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