Tuning Pins

[Travis Gordy]

Glen: The first couple of pianos I repined I used single oversized pins
(replaced OOs with OOOs). Seemed tight enough at first but soon became
to loose for good tuning. Then read John Travis' book, "A Guide To
Restringing". He recommends double oversize. For all first repining work
since, I have used OOOO pins with good luck, and highly recommend that
to you.

Travis

Glen_Deligdisch@sil.org wrote:
>
>      May 14, 1997
>
>      Dear List,
>
>      I am trying to pull together all of the information I can in
>      preparation for re-stringing my old upright (my first).  There seems
>      to be quite a range of opinion on what size the new tuning pins should
>      be.  Some say I should automatically ream and install two sizes
>      larger.  Some say I should save the pin block and go back in with one
>      size up.  I can see the advantages of both suggestions but am still
>      uncertain of what might be the normal practice or best.
>
>      Reblitz kind of sides with both by using the present condition of the
>      piano to be the determining factor.
>
>      My piano is a Stieff made in 1904.  It still has the original 1/0 pins
>      and I suspect the original strings (?).  The pins are definitely loose
>      and need changing besides the fact that I need to learn how it is all
>      done.
>
>      As far as my piano is concerned I am not worried about what size the
>      next pins will be.  I am concerned about the customer that I might be
>      helping somewhere down the road.  I have 1/0 which gives my piano the
>      potential of several more pinnings if needed with a 2 size increase
>      each time.  But if a customer already has 3/0 and I just simply go up
>      2 sizes, that piano might be hard pressed for another pinning in the
>      future.
>
>      My question then is:  What rule of thumb do you folks use to determine
>      what size pin is appropriate for a re-stringing job.
>
>      Thanks for your insights,
>
>      Glen
>
>      ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
>      Glen and Ruth Deligdisch
>      P.O. Box 248
>      Waxhaw, NC  28173
>
>      Tel:  (704) 843-6047
>
>      E-mail:  Glen_Deligdisch@SIL.ORG