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!!!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

What are you reaming holes with?


Original Message:
Sent: 3/3/2025 8:19:00 AM
From: Wim Blees
Subject: RE: Tuning Pin Size for Restringing w/ Original Pinblock

Terry

For almost most piano, going up one size and reading the holes would be sufficient. You can always test each pin and replace with a size up, if needed. 

But this is a Baldwin. Rule of thumb for all Baldwins is to replace the pin block. But if you're only replacing the bass strings, ream the holes, go up one size, and keep your fingers crossed. 

Wim

Original Message:
Sent: 3/3/2025 8:36:00 AM
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: RE: Tuning Pin Size for Restringing w/ Original Pinblock

What are you reaming holes with?

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

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-03-2025 18:13
From: Nathan Monteleone
Subject: Tuning Pin Size for Restringing w/ Original Pinblock

Recently, at the suggestion of Dan Reed, I tried going from fairly loose (i.e still holding pitch but not very well) 2/0 pins straight to 3.5/0 lo torques. I used the steel brush but did not ream. They came out feeling very nice.

Original Message:
Sent: 3/4/2025 6:02:00 AM
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: RE: Tuning Pin Size for Restringing w/ Original Pinblock

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

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

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. 

------------------------------
Dave Conte, RPT

Piano Technician in Residence
The University of Tennessee
College of Music
Knoxville TN
(817) 307-5656
Owner: Rocky Top Piano
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-04-2025 07:24
From: Nathan Monteleone
Subject: Tuning Pin Size for Restringing w/ Original Pinblock

Oh, I used the one from Schaff, sold as "Tuning pin brush" number 270-B. I just clamp it in vise grips and run it in and out of each hole a few times. It could be chucked in a drill as well. 

I assumed at first it was the same thing as the bore hole brushes that Wim mentioned, but after an internet search for those I think this might be a bit more coarse than what one would use on a rifle. I've done more than an entire piano with one and didn't feel the inclination to change it out.

Original Message:
Sent: 3/4/2025 6:02:00 AM
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: RE: Tuning Pin Size for Restringing w/ Original Pinblock

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

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-03-2025 18:13
From: Nathan Monteleone
Subject: Tuning Pin Size for Restringing w/ Original Pinblock

Recently, at the suggestion of Dan Reed, I tried going from fairly loose (i.e still holding pitch but not very well) 2/0 pins straight to 3.5/0 lo torques. I used the steel brush but did not ream. They came out feeling very nice.

I just restrung an entire Baldwin from the early 70s. With the 21 ply (?) pinblock, I only went up one size. I dab with a hammer shank a little Mohawk Tabletop gloss varnish in the hole as a driving fluid. No reaming. It turned out great!

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

Original Message:
Sent: 03-04-2025 07:56
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Tuning Pin Size for Restringing w/ Original Pinblock

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. 

------------------------------
Dave Conte, RPT

Piano Technician in Residence
The University of Tennessee
College of Music
Knoxville TN
(817) 307-5656
Owner: Rocky Top Piano
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-04-2025 07:24
From: Nathan Monteleone
Subject: Tuning Pin Size for Restringing w/ Original Pinblock

Oh, I used the one from Schaff, sold as "Tuning pin brush" number 270-B. I just clamp it in vise grips and run it in and out of each hole a few times. It could be chucked in a drill as well. 

I assumed at first it was the same thing as the bore hole brushes that Wim mentioned, but after an internet search for those I think this might be a bit more coarse than what one would use on a rifle. I've done more than an entire piano with one and didn't feel the inclination to change it out.

Original Message:
Sent: 3/4/2025 6:02:00 AM
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: RE: Tuning Pin Size for Restringing w/ Original Pinblock

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

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505


Original Message:
Sent: 03-03-2025 18:13
From: Nathan Monteleone
Subject: Tuning Pin Size for Restringing w/ Original Pinblock

Recently, at the suggestion of Dan Reed, I tried going from fairly loose (i.e still holding pitch but not very well) 2/0 pins straight to 3.5/0 lo torques. I used the steel brush but did not ream. They came out feeling very nice.

I see in the Schaff catalog that the smallest size Low-Torque tuning pins they offer are 3.5/0.   Are 3/0 Low Torque pins available elsewhere?

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-03-2025 18:13
From: Nathan Monteleone
Subject: Tuning Pin Size for Restringing w/ Original Pinblock

Recently, at the suggestion of Dan Reed, I tried going from fairly loose (i.e still holding pitch but not very well) 2/0 pins straight to 3.5/0 lo torques. I used the steel brush but did not ream. They came out feeling very nice.