Pianotech

I am working on a Story & Clark console. I have only tuned this piano one time prior to discover 8 loose tuning pins in the 5 and 6th octaves that will not hold pitch. Each were directly above the pressure bar. I am seeking opinion of issue cause and better fixes other than what I have tried so far. Thus far I have only attempted to repair 4 of the 8.

The first pin I inserted a pin sleeve from Schaff. Didn't work so I pulled out the insert. Subsequently I spoke with a RPT that recommended filling the pin hole with JB Well Steel. That stuff was messy when trying to fill a horizontal hole. Thus I acquired JB Well Steel putty, filled hole and drilled pin hole after curing. Pin treads did not seem to hold after tuning. 

In the mean time, the next three pins were removed and replaced with a #4 pin and also tried a #5 but to no avail. The last 4 were left as is since the child learning the piano doesn't play that high yet. If my memory serves me correctly the last pin is in the 7th octave. 

Sounds to me like the pinblock is probably cracked and any efforts to tighten with larger pins or sleeves/shims will only expand the crack. Which, I would guess, is why they were ineffective. 

I have heard of pulling the pins soaking the pinblock with thin epoxy and re-drilling, but I would guess that's beyond what the piano is worth. 

Maybe someone else will have a suggestion for an effective repair.

------------------------------
Trevor Penner
Hillsboro KS
(620) 877-0306
music2himalone@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2026 12:58
From: Garry Gambill
Subject: Solution for loose tuning pins

I am working on a Story & Clark console. I have only tuned this piano one time prior to discover 8 loose tuning pins in the 5 and 6th octaves that will not hold pitch. Each were directly above the pressure bar. I am seeking opinion of issue cause and better fixes other than what I have tried so far. Thus far I have only attempted to repair 4 of the 8.

The first pin I inserted a pin sleeve from Schaff. Didn't work so I pulled out the insert. Subsequently I spoke with a RPT that recommended filling the pin hole with JB Well Steel. That stuff was messy when trying to fill a horizontal hole. Thus I acquired JB Well Steel putty, filled hole and drilled pin hole after curing. Pin treads did not seem to hold after tuning. 

In the mean time, the next three pins were removed and replaced with a #4 pin and also tried a #5 but to no avail. The last 4 were left as is since the child learning the piano doesn't play that high yet. If my memory serves me correctly the last pin is in the 7th octave. 

------------------------------
Garry Gambill
Greenbush MN
12184520223
------------------------------

For the larger pins (#4 and 5), did you drive or screw them in? How did you remove the original pins?

CA might be the best treatment in this circumstance.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2026 13:57
From: Trevor Penner
Subject: Solution for loose tuning pins

Sounds to me like the pinblock is probably cracked and any efforts to tighten with larger pins or sleeves/shims will only expand the crack. Which, I would guess, is why they were ineffective. 

I have heard of pulling the pins soaking the pinblock with thin epoxy and re-drilling, but I would guess that's beyond what the piano is worth. 

Maybe someone else will have a suggestion for an effective repair.

------------------------------
Trevor Penner
Hillsboro KS
(620) 877-0306
music2himalone@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2026 12:58
From: Garry Gambill
Subject: Solution for loose tuning pins

I am working on a Story & Clark console. I have only tuned this piano one time prior to discover 8 loose tuning pins in the 5 and 6th octaves that will not hold pitch. Each were directly above the pressure bar. I am seeking opinion of issue cause and better fixes other than what I have tried so far. Thus far I have only attempted to repair 4 of the 8.

The first pin I inserted a pin sleeve from Schaff. Didn't work so I pulled out the insert. Subsequently I spoke with a RPT that recommended filling the pin hole with JB Well Steel. That stuff was messy when trying to fill a horizontal hole. Thus I acquired JB Well Steel putty, filled hole and drilled pin hole after curing. Pin treads did not seem to hold after tuning. 

In the mean time, the next three pins were removed and replaced with a #4 pin and also tried a #5 but to no avail. The last 4 were left as is since the child learning the piano doesn't play that high yet. If my memory serves me correctly the last pin is in the 7th octave. 

------------------------------
Garry Gambill
Greenbush MN
12184520223
------------------------------

Quite frankly I would discuss the fact that the piano is exhibiting signs that it has reached it's expiration date. Time to start looking around.

People buy these things THINKING they are built to last generations...poppycock! They need a dose of reality. 30-40 years is about it  especially for pianos like this. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

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

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2026 22:52
From: Tim Foster
Subject: Solution for loose tuning pins

For the larger pins (#4 and 5), did you drive or screw them in? How did you remove the original pins?

CA might be the best treatment in this circumstance.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2026 13:57
From: Trevor Penner
Subject: Solution for loose tuning pins

Sounds to me like the pinblock is probably cracked and any efforts to tighten with larger pins or sleeves/shims will only expand the crack. Which, I would guess, is why they were ineffective. 

I have heard of pulling the pins soaking the pinblock with thin epoxy and re-drilling, but I would guess that's beyond what the piano is worth. 

Maybe someone else will have a suggestion for an effective repair.

------------------------------
Trevor Penner
Hillsboro KS
(620) 877-0306
music2himalone@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2026 12:58
From: Garry Gambill
Subject: Solution for loose tuning pins

I am working on a Story & Clark console. I have only tuned this piano one time prior to discover 8 loose tuning pins in the 5 and 6th octaves that will not hold pitch. Each were directly above the pressure bar. I am seeking opinion of issue cause and better fixes other than what I have tried so far. Thus far I have only attempted to repair 4 of the 8.

The first pin I inserted a pin sleeve from Schaff. Didn't work so I pulled out the insert. Subsequently I spoke with a RPT that recommended filling the pin hole with JB Well Steel. That stuff was messy when trying to fill a horizontal hole. Thus I acquired JB Well Steel putty, filled hole and drilled pin hole after curing. Pin treads did not seem to hold after tuning. 

In the mean time, the next three pins were removed and replaced with a #4 pin and also tried a #5 but to no avail. The last 4 were left as is since the child learning the piano doesn't play that high yet. If my memory serves me correctly the last pin is in the 7th octave. 

------------------------------
Garry Gambill
Greenbush MN
12184520223
------------------------------

Quite frankly I would discuss the fact that the piano is exhibiting signs that it has reached it's expiration date. Time to start looking around.

People buy these things THINKING they are built to last generations...poppycock! They need a dose of reality. 30-40 years is about it  especially for pianos like this. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

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

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2026 22:52
From: Tim Foster
Subject: Solution for loose tuning pins

For the larger pins (#4 and 5), did you drive or screw them in? How did you remove the original pins?

CA might be the best treatment in this circumstance.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2026 13:57
From: Trevor Penner
Subject: Solution for loose tuning pins

Sounds to me like the pinblock is probably cracked and any efforts to tighten with larger pins or sleeves/shims will only expand the crack. Which, I would guess, is why they were ineffective. 

I have heard of pulling the pins soaking the pinblock with thin epoxy and re-drilling, but I would guess that's beyond what the piano is worth. 

Maybe someone else will have a suggestion for an effective repair.

------------------------------
Trevor Penner
Hillsboro KS
(620) 877-0306
music2himalone@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2026 12:58
From: Garry Gambill
Subject: Solution for loose tuning pins

I am working on a Story & Clark console. I have only tuned this piano one time prior to discover 8 loose tuning pins in the 5 and 6th octaves that will not hold pitch. Each were directly above the pressure bar. I am seeking opinion of issue cause and better fixes other than what I have tried so far. Thus far I have only attempted to repair 4 of the 8.

The first pin I inserted a pin sleeve from Schaff. Didn't work so I pulled out the insert. Subsequently I spoke with a RPT that recommended filling the pin hole with JB Well Steel. That stuff was messy when trying to fill a horizontal hole. Thus I acquired JB Well Steel putty, filled hole and drilled pin hole after curing. Pin treads did not seem to hold after tuning. 

In the mean time, the next three pins were removed and replaced with a #4 pin and also tried a #5 but to no avail. The last 4 were left as is since the child learning the piano doesn't play that high yet. If my memory serves me correctly the last pin is in the 7th octave. 

------------------------------
Garry Gambill
Greenbush MN
12184520223
------------------------------

Quite frankly I would discuss the fact that the piano is exhibiting signs that it has reached it's expiration date. Time to start looking around.

People buy these things THINKING they are built to last generations...poppycock! They need a dose of reality. 30-40 years is about it  especially for pianos like this. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

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

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2026 22:52
From: Tim Foster
Subject: Solution for loose tuning pins

For the larger pins (#4 and 5), did you drive or screw them in? How did you remove the original pins?

CA might be the best treatment in this circumstance.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2026 13:57
From: Trevor Penner
Subject: Solution for loose tuning pins

Sounds to me like the pinblock is probably cracked and any efforts to tighten with larger pins or sleeves/shims will only expand the crack. Which, I would guess, is why they were ineffective. 

I have heard of pulling the pins soaking the pinblock with thin epoxy and re-drilling, but I would guess that's beyond what the piano is worth. 

Maybe someone else will have a suggestion for an effective repair.

------------------------------
Trevor Penner
Hillsboro KS
(620) 877-0306
music2himalone@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2026 12:58
From: Garry Gambill
Subject: Solution for loose tuning pins

I am working on a Story & Clark console. I have only tuned this piano one time prior to discover 8 loose tuning pins in the 5 and 6th octaves that will not hold pitch. Each were directly above the pressure bar. I am seeking opinion of issue cause and better fixes other than what I have tried so far. Thus far I have only attempted to repair 4 of the 8.

The first pin I inserted a pin sleeve from Schaff. Didn't work so I pulled out the insert. Subsequently I spoke with a RPT that recommended filling the pin hole with JB Well Steel. That stuff was messy when trying to fill a horizontal hole. Thus I acquired JB Well Steel putty, filled hole and drilled pin hole after curing. Pin treads did not seem to hold after tuning. 

In the mean time, the next three pins were removed and replaced with a #4 pin and also tried a #5 but to no avail. The last 4 were left as is since the child learning the piano doesn't play that high yet. If my memory serves me correctly the last pin is in the 7th octave. 

------------------------------
Garry Gambill
Greenbush MN
12184520223
------------------------------

I am working on a Story & Clark console. I have only tuned this piano one time prior to discover 8 loose tuning pins in the 5 and 6th octaves that will not hold pitch. Each were directly above the pressure bar. I am seeking opinion of issue cause and better fixes other than what I have tried so far. Thus far I have only attempted to repair 4 of the 8.

The first pin I inserted a pin sleeve from Schaff. Didn't work so I pulled out the insert. Subsequently I spoke with a RPT that recommended filling the pin hole with JB Well Steel. That stuff was messy when trying to fill a horizontal hole. Thus I acquired JB Well Steel putty, filled hole and drilled pin hole after curing. Pin treads did not seem to hold after tuning. 

In the mean time, the next three pins were removed and replaced with a #4 pin and also tried a #5 but to no avail. The last 4 were left as is since the child learning the piano doesn't play that high yet. If my memory serves me correctly the last pin is in the 7th octave. 

Sound like it might be time to let this piano join the rest of the Story & Clark consoles that have found their way to the county landfill. I have a Story & Clark console on my list of pianos to tune today - and this one, just as most all others I have encountered, belongs in the county landfill.   🙁

I am working on a Story & Clark console. I have only tuned this piano one time prior to discover 8 loose tuning pins in the 5 and 6th octaves that will not hold pitch. Each were directly above the pressure bar. I am seeking opinion of issue cause and better fixes other than what I have tried so far. Thus far I have only attempted to repair 4 of the 8.

The first pin I inserted a pin sleeve from Schaff. Didn't work so I pulled out the insert. Subsequently I spoke with a RPT that recommended filling the pin hole with JB Well Steel. That stuff was messy when trying to fill a horizontal hole. Thus I acquired JB Well Steel putty, filled hole and drilled pin hole after curing. Pin treads did not seem to hold after tuning. 

In the mean time, the next three pins were removed and replaced with a #4 pin and also tried a #5 but to no avail. The last 4 were left as is since the child learning the piano doesn't play that high yet. If my memory serves me correctly the last pin is in the 7th octave.