Pianotech

I'm looking for a torque wrench/gauge. Currently, one of the two big supply houses has one at $250.
I think not...

Park bike tools has one that measures inch/pounds at only about $40:
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-TW-1-2-Beam-Type-Torque/dp/B09JB5N6K9/ref=asc_df_B09JB5N6K9/?tag=hyprod-20

Would this work?

Harbor Freight has a couple of digital models, and I remember someone recommending one in the Journal, but I can't find it now.
By their specs, they only seem to to read in Ft-lbs, which would be too big of a scale.

Also, I guess the big question is: Does a moderately experienced technician even need one? Can't someone who tunes a lot of pianos simply turn the pin and say either "too low" or "too high," and sense some intermediate values as well?

Kind of like heart rate monitors for biking or running: Sure, you use it a lot for a while, then eventually it ends up in a drawer because it's not very difficult to sense how hard you're working.

thanks!

------------------------------
Scott Cole, RPT
rvpianotuner.com
Talent, OR
(541-601-9033
------------------------------

Hi Scott,
They're not absolutely necessary. It's a good exercise to measure the torque then turn it with your tuning lever. You're right, after a while you get a feel for the torque range and the tool may then sit on a shelf. I have an old Indestro brand torque wrench and use it every so often. It's good for assessing old pianos with low torque pins. Including numbers in your assessment helps people understand what loose means. Another useful situation is test drilling a new pinblock. Good to know where you're at.

If you end up deciding to purchase, grab something used off Ebay similar to this one. Overkill at 600 inch pounds but it's precise enough. Old tools are awesome. Here is another, better range but more expensive.

I'm looking for a torque wrench/gauge. Currently, one of the two big supply houses has one at $250.
I think not...

Park bike tools has one that measures inch/pounds at only about $40:
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-TW-1-2-Beam-Type-Torque/dp/B09JB5N6K9/ref=asc_df_B09JB5N6K9/?tag=hyprod-20

Would this work?

Harbor Freight has a couple of digital models, and I remember someone recommending one in the Journal, but I can't find it now.
By their specs, they only seem to to read in Ft-lbs, which would be too big of a scale.

Also, I guess the big question is: Does a moderately experienced technician even need one? Can't someone who tunes a lot of pianos simply turn the pin and say either "too low" or "too high," and sense some intermediate values as well?

Kind of like heart rate monitors for biking or running: Sure, you use it a lot for a while, then eventually it ends up in a drawer because it's not very difficult to sense how hard you're working.

thanks!

I'm looking for a torque wrench/gauge. Currently, one of the two big supply houses has one at $250.
I think not...

Park bike tools has one that measures inch/pounds at only about $40:
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-TW-1-2-Beam-Type-Torque/dp/B09JB5N6K9/ref=asc_df_B09JB5N6K9/?tag=hyprod-20

Would this work?

Harbor Freight has a couple of digital models, and I remember someone recommending one in the Journal, but I can't find it now.
By their specs, they only seem to to read in Ft-lbs, which would be too big of a scale.

Also, I guess the big question is: Does a moderately experienced technician even need one? Can't someone who tunes a lot of pianos simply turn the pin and say either "too low" or "too high," and sense some intermediate values as well?

Kind of like heart rate monitors for biking or running: Sure, you use it a lot for a while, then eventually it ends up in a drawer because it's not very difficult to sense how hard you're working.

thanks!

I'm looking for a torque wrench/gauge. Currently, one of the two big supply houses has one at $250.
I think not...

Park bike tools has one that measures inch/pounds at only about $40:
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-TW-1-2-Beam-Type-Torque/dp/B09JB5N6K9/ref=asc_df_B09JB5N6K9/?tag=hyprod-20

Would this work?

Harbor Freight has a couple of digital models, and I remember someone recommending one in the Journal, but I can't find it now.
By their specs, they only seem to to read in Ft-lbs, which would be too big of a scale.

Also, I guess the big question is: Does a moderately experienced technician even need one? Can't someone who tunes a lot of pianos simply turn the pin and say either "too low" or "too high," and sense some intermediate values as well?

Kind of like heart rate monitors for biking or running: Sure, you use it a lot for a while, then eventually it ends up in a drawer because it's not very difficult to sense how hard you're working.

thanks!

I got mine used off of eBay for around $40 and love it. For drilling a new pinblock, I was able to test. When a client has loose tuning pins, I can tell them exactly how much torque their pins currently have and what they should have. Numbers speak for themselves I think.

I'm looking for a torque wrench/gauge. Currently, one of the two big supply houses has one at $250.
I think not...

Park bike tools has one that measures inch/pounds at only about $40:
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-TW-1-2-Beam-Type-Torque/dp/B09JB5N6K9/ref=asc_df_B09JB5N6K9/?tag=hyprod-20

Would this work?

Harbor Freight has a couple of digital models, and I remember someone recommending one in the Journal, but I can't find it now.
By their specs, they only seem to to read in Ft-lbs, which would be too big of a scale.

Also, I guess the big question is: Does a moderately experienced technician even need one? Can't someone who tunes a lot of pianos simply turn the pin and say either "too low" or "too high," and sense some intermediate values as well?

Kind of like heart rate monitors for biking or running: Sure, you use it a lot for a while, then eventually it ends up in a drawer because it's not very difficult to sense how hard you're working.

thanks!

I'm looking for a torque wrench/gauge. Currently, one of the two big supply houses has one at $250.
I think not...

Park bike tools has one that measures inch/pounds at only about $40:
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-TW-1-2-Beam-Type-Torque/dp/B09JB5N6K9/ref=asc_df_B09JB5N6K9/?tag=hyprod-20

Would this work?

Harbor Freight has a couple of digital models, and I remember someone recommending one in the Journal, but I can't find it now.
By their specs, they only seem to to read in Ft-lbs, which would be too big of a scale.

Also, I guess the big question is: Does a moderately experienced technician even need one? Can't someone who tunes a lot of pianos simply turn the pin and say either "too low" or "too high," and sense some intermediate values as well?

Kind of like heart rate monitors for biking or running: Sure, you use it a lot for a while, then eventually it ends up in a drawer because it's not very difficult to sense how hard you're working.

thanks!

Hi Scott,

I use a digital torque wrench that I picked up on Amazon for about $80. It can switch between in-lbs, ft-lbs, and Nm and the hold function is great for holding the max reading. 3/8" drive that easily fits the available tips. Range of 16-53- in lbs so it's good for reading tuning pin torque as well setting plate bolts/screws. I use it when pinning new blocks in addition to quantifying torque when evaluating for report. 

I hope this helps. 

AG

I'm looking for a torque wrench/gauge. Currently, one of the two big supply houses has one at $250.
I think not...

Park bike tools has one that measures inch/pounds at only about $40:
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-TW-1-2-Beam-Type-Torque/dp/B09JB5N6K9/ref=asc_df_B09JB5N6K9/?tag=hyprod-20

Would this work?

Harbor Freight has a couple of digital models, and I remember someone recommending one in the Journal, but I can't find it now.
By their specs, they only seem to to read in Ft-lbs, which would be too big of a scale.

Also, I guess the big question is: Does a moderately experienced technician even need one? Can't someone who tunes a lot of pianos simply turn the pin and say either "too low" or "too high," and sense some intermediate values as well?

Kind of like heart rate monitors for biking or running: Sure, you use it a lot for a while, then eventually it ends up in a drawer because it's not very difficult to sense how hard you're working.

thanks!

I'm looking for a torque wrench/gauge. Currently, one of the two big supply houses has one at $250.
I think not...

Park bike tools has one that measures inch/pounds at only about $40:
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-TW-1-2-Beam-Type-Torque/dp/B09JB5N6K9/ref=asc_df_B09JB5N6K9/?tag=hyprod-20

Would this work?

Harbor Freight has a couple of digital models, and I remember someone recommending one in the Journal, but I can't find it now.
By their specs, they only seem to to read in Ft-lbs, which would be too big of a scale.

Also, I guess the big question is: Does a moderately experienced technician even need one? Can't someone who tunes a lot of pianos simply turn the pin and say either "too low" or "too high," and sense some intermediate values as well?

Kind of like heart rate monitors for biking or running: Sure, you use it a lot for a while, then eventually it ends up in a drawer because it's not very difficult to sense how hard you're working.

thanks!

New Britain TW 1-200 and Sturtevant Richmont DR200-1 beam torque wrenches pop up on eBay in pretty good condition for ~$20-30 now and then. If the beam is slightly off center, it can be recentered by gently bending it back.

I'm looking for a torque wrench/gauge. Currently, one of the two big supply houses has one at $250.
I think not...

Park bike tools has one that measures inch/pounds at only about $40:
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-TW-1-2-Beam-Type-Torque/dp/B09JB5N6K9/ref=asc_df_B09JB5N6K9/?tag=hyprod-20

Would this work?

Harbor Freight has a couple of digital models, and I remember someone recommending one in the Journal, but I can't find it now.
By their specs, they only seem to to read in Ft-lbs, which would be too big of a scale.

Also, I guess the big question is: Does a moderately experienced technician even need one? Can't someone who tunes a lot of pianos simply turn the pin and say either "too low" or "too high," and sense some intermediate values as well?

Kind of like heart rate monitors for biking or running: Sure, you use it a lot for a while, then eventually it ends up in a drawer because it's not very difficult to sense how hard you're working.

thanks!