"cracking" pins

[David ilvedson]

> Date:          Fri, 3 Oct 1997 22:54:41 -0400 (EDT)
> From:          Les Smith <lessmith@buffnet.net>
> To:            pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject:       Re: "cracking" pins
> Reply-to:      pianotech@ptg.org

As someone who just restrung the bass on a Baldwin concert grand 
and have those "cracking" pins, I wish I had tried the 
"varnish".  I'm going to give it a little time but I may be 
tempted to remove each pin and use the varnish and drive it 
again.  Am I asking for trouble such as breaking beckets?

David ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA


> 
> 
> On Fri, 3 Oct 1997, John R Fortiner wrote:
> 
> > Hi Les:
> > This is the first time that I have communicated with you in person, but I
> > have a question regarding "tuning pin driving fluid".  Do you need to
> > thin the spar varnish before using it or do you use it as it comes from
> > the can?  Does polyurethane varnish also work for the same purpose?
> > 
> >                   Thanks in advance
> >                   John R. Fortiner
> >                   pianoserv440@juno.com
> 
> Hi, John.
> 
> Regular spar varnish as it comes from the can, NOT polyurethane. Also,
> dipping the pin itself in the varnish seems to invite excess and drips,
> at least for me. I swab the hole, itself and then drive in the pin. Try
> both approaches, use whichever one works best for you. For anyone who's
> evr had to resort to bad language while trying to  tune a piano with
> tight, squeaky, jumping pins, the difference that PDF can make is start-
> ling. Give it a try. Afterwards, you'll probably ask youself, "Hey, why
> didn't someone tell me about this before?" Well, we just did! Ain't Piano-
> tech great? :)
> 
> Les Smith
> lessmith@buffnet.net 
> 
> 
>