Pianotech

Good grief, it has been a very long time since I last restrung a piano when not replacing the pinblock! What kind of guidelines are folks using regarding existing torque and restringing pin size - i.e. what new pin sizes are suggested for existing torque values?

Assuming the piano does not have new-piano tuning pin torque - as this 1967 Baldwin L certainly does not (I will be testing the existing torque soon, prior to the restringing day). If I recall correctly, general recommendations are to go up at least one pin size if existing torque is okay (maybe in the 50 to 80 in-lb range). Go up two sizes if pin torque is quite low (less than 30 in-lb???).

Also,  what is the latest on tuning pin hole treatment for new pins. If everything is okay with the original pins, I'm tempted to to not ream or anything along those lines. What is the current thinking?

FWIW, I'm just restringing the bass section. Will likely use Low-Torq tuning pins.

Thanks!!!

Good grief, it has been a very long time since I last restrung a piano when not replacing the pinblock! What kind of guidelines are folks using regarding existing torque and restringing pin size - i.e. what new pin sizes are suggested for existing torque values?

Assuming the piano does not have new-piano tuning pin torque - as this 1967 Baldwin L certainly does not (I will be testing the existing torque soon, prior to the restringing day). If I recall correctly, general recommendations are to go up at least one pin size if existing torque is okay (maybe in the 50 to 80 in-lb range). Go up two sizes if pin torque is quite low (less than 30 in-lb???).

Also,  what is the latest on tuning pin hole treatment for new pins. If everything is okay with the original pins, I'm tempted to to not ream or anything along those lines. What is the current thinking?

FWIW, I'm just restringing the bass section. Will likely use Low-Torq tuning pins.

Thanks!!!

Good grief, it has been a very long time since I last restrung a piano when not replacing the pinblock! What kind of guidelines are folks using regarding existing torque and restringing pin size - i.e. what new pin sizes are suggested for existing torque values?

Assuming the piano does not have new-piano tuning pin torque - as this 1967 Baldwin L certainly does not (I will be testing the existing torque soon, prior to the restringing day). If I recall correctly, general recommendations are to go up at least one pin size if existing torque is okay (maybe in the 50 to 80 in-lb range). Go up two sizes if pin torque is quite low (less than 30 in-lb???).

Also,  what is the latest on tuning pin hole treatment for new pins. If everything is okay with the original pins, I'm tempted to to not ream or anything along those lines. What is the current thinking?

FWIW, I'm just restringing the bass section. Will likely use Low-Torq tuning pins.

Thanks!!!

Good grief, it has been a very long time since I last restrung a piano when not replacing the pinblock! What kind of guidelines are folks using regarding existing torque and restringing pin size - i.e. what new pin sizes are suggested for existing torque values?

Assuming the piano does not have new-piano tuning pin torque - as this 1967 Baldwin L certainly does not (I will be testing the existing torque soon, prior to the restringing day). If I recall correctly, general recommendations are to go up at least one pin size if existing torque is okay (maybe in the 50 to 80 in-lb range). Go up two sizes if pin torque is quite low (less than 30 in-lb???).

Also,  what is the latest on tuning pin hole treatment for new pins. If everything is okay with the original pins, I'm tempted to to not ream or anything along those lines. What is the current thinking?

FWIW, I'm just restringing the bass section. Will likely use Low-Torq tuning pins.

Thanks!!!

Good grief, it has been a very long time since I last restrung a piano when not replacing the pinblock! What kind of guidelines are folks using regarding existing torque and restringing pin size - i.e. what new pin sizes are suggested for existing torque values?

Assuming the piano does not have new-piano tuning pin torque - as this 1967 Baldwin L certainly does not (I will be testing the existing torque soon, prior to the restringing day). If I recall correctly, general recommendations are to go up at least one pin size if existing torque is okay (maybe in the 50 to 80 in-lb range). Go up two sizes if pin torque is quite low (less than 30 in-lb???).

Also,  what is the latest on tuning pin hole treatment for new pins. If everything is okay with the original pins, I'm tempted to to not ream or anything along those lines. What is the current thinking?

FWIW, I'm just restringing the bass section. Will likely use Low-Torq tuning pins.

Thanks!!!

Thanks for the input Nathan - what sort of steel brush are you referring to?

Good grief, it has been a very long time since I last restrung a piano when not replacing the pinblock! What kind of guidelines are folks using regarding existing torque and restringing pin size - i.e. what new pin sizes are suggested for existing torque values?

Assuming the piano does not have new-piano tuning pin torque - as this 1967 Baldwin L certainly does not (I will be testing the existing torque soon, prior to the restringing day). If I recall correctly, general recommendations are to go up at least one pin size if existing torque is okay (maybe in the 50 to 80 in-lb range). Go up two sizes if pin torque is quite low (less than 30 in-lb???).

Also,  what is the latest on tuning pin hole treatment for new pins. If everything is okay with the original pins, I'm tempted to to not ream or anything along those lines. What is the current thinking?

FWIW, I'm just restringing the bass section. Will likely use Low-Torq tuning pins.

Thanks!!!

Thanks for the input Nathan - what sort of steel brush are you referring to?

Good grief, it has been a very long time since I last restrung a piano when not replacing the pinblock! What kind of guidelines are folks using regarding existing torque and restringing pin size - i.e. what new pin sizes are suggested for existing torque values?

Assuming the piano does not have new-piano tuning pin torque - as this 1967 Baldwin L certainly does not (I will be testing the existing torque soon, prior to the restringing day). If I recall correctly, general recommendations are to go up at least one pin size if existing torque is okay (maybe in the 50 to 80 in-lb range). Go up two sizes if pin torque is quite low (less than 30 in-lb???).

Also,  what is the latest on tuning pin hole treatment for new pins. If everything is okay with the original pins, I'm tempted to to not ream or anything along those lines. What is the current thinking?

FWIW, I'm just restringing the bass section. Will likely use Low-Torq tuning pins.

Thanks!!!

Nathan, 

Good to hear from you. I think this is the method I introduced to you in my shop?

At UNT, we used a spoon bit, but I find this takes away too much material, is difficult to keep cool and may cause differences where the hardness and density of the block differs. Now, I typically use a copper rifle bore brush about .008 larger than the intended tuning pin. It will take off the glaze and only a microscopic amount of material. I only do this by hand so I can get better tactile feedback and there is little risk of over-boring the hole. I haven't done a restring without replacing the block since I moved to TN, so I don't recall the exact diameters off hand. However, there may certainly be factors that determine if the original block should be used, such as case construction and/or fidelity to be as close to original as practical. 

I use Klinke pins because you can get them in half sizes, and because they are the most precise. Sometimes WNG if situation calls for them. 

On Baldwin or Delignit blocks I only increase one size. In my experience there is almost never a cause to replace this type unless they have been previously restrung, have delaminated or client insistence. 

Thanks for the input Nathan - what sort of steel brush are you referring to?

Good grief, it has been a very long time since I last restrung a piano when not replacing the pinblock! What kind of guidelines are folks using regarding existing torque and restringing pin size - i.e. what new pin sizes are suggested for existing torque values?

Assuming the piano does not have new-piano tuning pin torque - as this 1967 Baldwin L certainly does not (I will be testing the existing torque soon, prior to the restringing day). If I recall correctly, general recommendations are to go up at least one pin size if existing torque is okay (maybe in the 50 to 80 in-lb range). Go up two sizes if pin torque is quite low (less than 30 in-lb???).

Also,  what is the latest on tuning pin hole treatment for new pins. If everything is okay with the original pins, I'm tempted to to not ream or anything along those lines. What is the current thinking?

FWIW, I'm just restringing the bass section. Will likely use Low-Torq tuning pins.

Thanks!!!

Good grief, it has been a very long time since I last restrung a piano when not replacing the pinblock! What kind of guidelines are folks using regarding existing torque and restringing pin size - i.e. what new pin sizes are suggested for existing torque values?

Assuming the piano does not have new-piano tuning pin torque - as this 1967 Baldwin L certainly does not (I will be testing the existing torque soon, prior to the restringing day). If I recall correctly, general recommendations are to go up at least one pin size if existing torque is okay (maybe in the 50 to 80 in-lb range). Go up two sizes if pin torque is quite low (less than 30 in-lb???).

Also,  what is the latest on tuning pin hole treatment for new pins. If everything is okay with the original pins, I'm tempted to to not ream or anything along those lines. What is the current thinking?

FWIW, I'm just restringing the bass section. Will likely use Low-Torq tuning pins.

Thanks!!!