Tuning Pins

[rchayden1@juno.com]

Unless you intend to rebuild the piano with the original pinblock, use
the liquid pin tightener.  It often works well, does not change the
geometry of the string, you won't need to completely pitch and tune the
piano again.

I am getting years of workable stability from Quickset in dozens of
pianos, and since I always put in new pinblocks when rebuilding, I have
no qualms about using pin tightener.   

A new application that works wonders also is the thin CA glue,  super
glue.  It's amazing.  I'm still following some recent applications of it,
I think this may be better yet.

I do occasionally drive in an old upright pin when loose, because it's
easier than tilting the whole piano.  If, however the looseness is more
universal, tilt and treat, that's easier.  Make sure you have a 'one man
tilter', the leverage built in them handles the top heavy weight very
well.  Any other method is risky to life, limb, and property.

The next resort is upsizing the tuning pin.  I keep a supply for that
purpose.  But, dropping stress on a string destabilizes it, and you'll
have to plan on a return visit to touch up the tuning, (or just felt it
out until the next tuning . . . . )

Roger Hayden, RPT