Greetings, I have to agree with one of the previous postings (you know who you are!) regarding the flattening of tuning pins from being driven into the pinblock by *extreme* forces. The mushrooming effect on the normally rounded tuning pin top seems to result in tuning hammer sitckitus, an annoying syndrome that usually results in the tuner using both hands to remove the tuning hammer from the offending pin, despite the fact that there is side-play in the tip contact with the pin. Check the top of the pins on the next sticking unit, you may find this to be the case. Also, remember that the pin tops (and the hammer tip) are tapered, and mushroom-headed tuning pins interfere with the usually smooth fit of the tip to the pin, despite the size of the tip. Solution? File the pin back to tapered status (drawbacks: difficult and time consuming), or go to the factory and let 200 psi out of the compressor used to pin new pianos (drawbacks: difficult, time-consuming advantages: deeply satisfying.) Happy New Year in advance, Rob Kiddell R.P.T., P.T.G. C.A.P.T. Student Edmonton, Canada http://www.planet.eon.net/~atonal/atonal.html
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