[CAUT] pin-block plugging?

[Nancy Salmon]

I recently (within 2 years) plugged part of an odd Weber grand where the
pinblock was in 2 parts. The bottom layer was one solid piece of maple,
mitred into the case. This I plugged with falconwood plugs; 3/8" only would
fit. The top layer, fit to the plate, I replaced with falconwood. Drilled
for 2/0 pins.

The result is only OK. Just enough torque and is fairly stable. Though I
installed a Climate Control unit, the building has radiant and passive solar
heat, so it is difficult to judge my results. Were I to do it again I would
modify the case and replace both parts of the block. The difficulty was
compounded by fitting the plate/block to the mitred base blindly - very
tricky and time consuming. I realize the first time for anything is slow.

This has been a valuable thread, thanks for raising the question. Nancy
Salmon RPT

Frostburg State Univ., Maryland

On Fri, May 1, 2009 at 11:47 AM, Mark Cramer <cramer at brandonu.ca> wrote:

>  Interesting thought Marcel, it never donned on me I might be creating a
> glue-starved joint with aliphatic resin glue. When I use this stuff my
> practice is to coat both surfaces and let it sit for a minute before
> assembling, for that very reason.
>
>
>
> All the same, does it strike you odd that I haven’t had *dozens *of
> technicians reply to say “we’ve had nothing but success with pin-block
> plugs” especially technicians from the era when plugging rather than
> replacing blocks was the fad. (?)
>
>
>
> BTW, I think you’re right, a bench experiment would probably solve the
> mystery in a hurry.
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
> Mark Cramer, RPT
>
> Brandon University
>  ------------------------------
>
> *From:* caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] *On Behalf Of *Marcel
> Carey
> *Sent:* April 30, 2009 7:04 PM
> *To:* caut at ptg.org
> *Subject:* Re: [CAUT] pin-block plugging?
>
>
>
> Hi Mark,
>
> >From your description, I think you might be drilling too SMALL for the
> plug. There has to be a gap. You might just be pushing all the glue out of
> the hole and then when you repin the whole plug might turn. Of course after
> putting in bigger pins the plug eventually sticks there. I've seen it done
> at Steinway factory for a pin that was too loose to start with. If it has
> worked for them, it has to work for you too. Maybe you could experiment in
> an old piece of block until you find the right combination.
>
> Marcel Carey
> Sherbrooke
>
>
>  ------------------------------
>
> Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:12:26 -0500
> From: cramer at brandonu.ca
> To: caut at ptg.org
> Subject: [CAUT] pin-block plugging?
>
> Now and then I run into a situation where plugging a tuning-pin hole and
> re-drilling seems like the only option. IOW, neither an over-sized pin, CA
> glue nor an emery paper shim will work.
>
>
>
> I’ve tackled this fairly carefully, even using a small portable drill press
> clamped to the keybed to get a precise hole, but I never seem to get a good
> result:
>
>
>
> I’ve used plugs from both economy blocks and Bolduc blocks. The plugs are a
> tight fit to the wood, and really have to be driven home. I’ve used
> carpenter’s glue.
>
>
>
> Nonetheless, the results always seem to end up the same. I bore for a 1/0
> pin, then end up installing a 2/0, then up-sizing to a 3/0, and often a
> 4/0!?
>
>
>
> Anyone have success with this?
>
>
>
> Over the years some of you must’ve plugged and re-bored entire pin-blocks.
> What’s your secret?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark Cramer, RPT
>
> Brandon University
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  ------------------------------
>
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