Wurlitzer metal pinblock tuning pin (info & repair)

[Warren Fisher]

Keith A. McGavern wrote:
>
> >If this is the type pin that is flat on the end and about half the
> >length of a regular pin. You just take a hacksaw to a regular pin and
> >grind it flat afterwards on a bench grinder.  I seem to remember a 2/0
> >worked...
> >
> >Warren
>
> Sounds :-)   like a Wegman tuning pin.
>
> Here is a description of the Wurlitzer tuning pin from a post on Pianotech
> by Bill Bailer dated 8/2/96:
> >...I have seen a Wurlitzer upright with pins set directly into the plate.
> >The area behind the pins was open, and the ends of the pins visible.  They
> >had slots cut in them across the diameter to a depth that was into the
> >hole, but not visible from the front.  Each slot had a metal wedge driven
> >into it, spreading the pin tightly in the hole.  To tighten a pin, one
> >could either drive the whole pin forward ("outward"), or drive just the
> >wedge (just a very little bit in either case)...
>
> And here is a explanation and possible repair for that broken tuning pin
> from a post on Pianotech by Fred Scoles, RPT dated 8/2/96:
> >...The problem I've had with one Wurlitzer upright player Uniplate
> >is that some pins tend to seize into place, and shear off unless one
> >first removes the back protective cover and either loosens the pin wedge,
> >taps the pin end, or applies a drop of penetrating oil like Kroil to
> >first loosen the pin.  Replacing sheared pins involves modifying a
> >standard pin...
>
> Keith A. McGavern
> kam544@ionet.net
> Registered Piano Technician
> Oklahoma Chapter 731
> Piano Technicians Guild
> Oklahoma Baptist University
> Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA
Thanks, Keith.  I've obviously never encountered the Wurlitzer beast
(Thank God)!  Rube Goldberg rampant!

Warren
--
Warren D. Fisher
fish@communique.net
Registered Piano Technician
Piano Technicians Guild
New Orleans Chapter 701