Dave, why should CA be an absolute last resort? I would certainly try it ahead of driving the pins which requires a lot pitch raising and tuning afterwards and in my experience, doesn't last as long. I would also try it first before installing larger pins which is a lot more expense for the customer. Of course you are right that CA only fixes one problem, tunability, and leaves you with all the other problems associated with an old piano. The question becomes, does this customer want to improve the instrument in other ways? Some do and some don't.
I think a lot of our feeling about CA being a frowned-upon treatment is left over from the old days of "Pin Tite" which I'm told had actual negative side effects like jumping pins and maybe after using Pin Tite you could not go back and install larger pins because they too would get jumpy. I remember my original mentor refering to it as "Pin block destroyer", rather that a "Pin block restorer" as it was advertised. This is probably at the root one of the OP's quotes: " It will last one year and then the pinblock is done. You won't even be able to put in larger pins."
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John Pope
University of Kentucky School of Music
Lexington, KY
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-16-2026 13:20
From: Dave Conte
Subject: when to CA glue a pinblock
Follow up to my previous post. If the tuning pins are loose enough to require
remediation, the bushings likewise have a bit of space around where they
contact the tuning pins. Insulin needles/hypos are very fine, but will draw up
thin or extra thin viscosity CA glue and can easily slip into those gaps.
The added benefit is that you are certain the CA goes only into the hole and
doesn't flood the block. Only a very tiny amount is required if it gets to the
intended place. But make sure to remove the action and line the keybed
with something that will not allow the glue to pass through.
They are cheap enough that you don't worry about throwing them away
after one application, as they can not be reused.
CA treatment should only be done as an absolute resort, It should not be
deemed any type of restoration. Doing this is often seen by your customer
as fixing the piano, so a frank discussion needs to take place and don't make
any promises. If the piano is too far gone, CA won't help and nothing else will.
-- Dave Conte, RPT, CCT
Owner, Rocky Top Piano
Knoxville, TN
817-307-5656
Original Message:
Sent: 7/16/2026 12:52:00 PM
From: John Pope
Subject: RE: when to CA glue a pinblock
In pianos with pin bushings I have, on the advice of a long previous post on this forum, drilled a hole in each bushing to let the CA in. It works. You do break some bits in the process. In another years-ago post someone suggested drilling with a piece of piano wire instead of a bit. I've tried this too and I'm not sure which is more frustrating, breaking bits or slowly drilling with that plain wire. In any case, there are options for getting the CA through tuning pin bushings. It's more work, so charge accordingly. It's still way less work than replacing the block!
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John Pope
University of Kentucky School of Music
Lexington, KY
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