Re Tuning pin leveling, Mark B.

[Brian Trout]

G'day Mark,

Thanks for posting your 'method' on leveling tuning pins.  I've been using a
number of different things to assist me in leveling them, none of which have
much to do with the top of the tuning pin.  (Sound's a little strange, huh?)

I've been thinking about how to put this into words, but you did it.  I've
been trying to 'level out' the lengths of strings from the tuning pin to
wherever the next bearing point is, they're not all the same.  There are
indeed a number of 'dimensions' to work with.  When I start pounding, I'm
looking at the threads on the tuning pin. (The place where the threads stop
is pretty consistent with the pins I've been using.) Then as I pound deeper,
I start looking towards the distance between plate and bottom of coil. (It's
left too high on purpose, to be adjusted more precisely later.)  When the
straightening and lifting of coils, and an appropriate tension is on the
string, I'm looking first at the bottom of the coil, and then as I refine
further, towards the level of the string.  Like you said, once you have the
longest one pretty well set, lining up the rest to level with that string
isn't really too difficult.  I've never had a problem with the tuning pins
being level if the coils are consistent, and the wire level is good.  It
sort of happens automatically.  (But just try and put it into words.??  I'm
leaving out many details here...)

I'm a Virgo too!  Perhaps that explains a few things.?  Are all Virgos
selective perfectionists with a penchant for pickiness? <g>

I enjoy your posts, Mark.

Hope you're having a nice weekend.

Brian Trout  (One of the other Brians :-) )
Quarryville, PA
btrout@desupernet.net


-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Bolsius <markbolsius@optusnet.com.au>
To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Sunday, September 05, 1999 10:40 AM
Subject: Re Tuning pin leveling and ratchet capstan adjuster


>G'day Brian,
>
>Tuning pin leveling can be done with a stick gauge which rests on the plate
>and has a notch cut out for the pin to sit in. However, if the back row of
>pins need to be higher than the front ones (to ensure that the strings
>remain parallel to the plate) it may not work as well.
>
>I usually make sure all the coils have been lifted and tapped down with a
>coils setter (so that the becket hole is half covered and the coils are
neat
>and tight) I usually then chip the piano to pitch (accuracy unimportant, I
>am primarily looking for tension on the coils and lift any stragglers....I
>hate droopy bottoms....on the coils that is!
>
>Then set the back row of pins so that the string runs parallel to the
plate,
>then I set the forward rows of pins so that all the strings line up forming
>a flat plane parallel to the plate.
>
>The tuning pins should all form a consistent plane and the string's angle
of
>incidence to the front duplex will also be consistent. Usually the front
>pins are higher than the back ones, but everything in between should be
>inline.
>
>I hope all this makes sense, I suppose I'm actually saying that I eyeball
it
>anyway, but use the string level instead of the top of the pin.....the
coils
>do have to be very, very good or it doesn't work, but then I am a Virgo and
>therefore a selective perfectionist, this happens to be one of the things I
>choose to be _really_ picky about (g)
>
>
>BTW I'm with you on a capstan adjuster with a ratchet mechanism.....someone
>please
>design/invent one pleeeease!
>
>Cheers
>Mark Bolsius
>Bolsius Piano Services
>Canberra Australia
>
>----------
>>From: owner-pianotech-digest@ptg.org (pianotech-digest)
>>To: pianotech-digest@ptg.org
>>Subject: pianotech-digest V1997 #1952
>>Date: Sat, 4 Sep 1999 8:24 AM
>>
>
>> Hi list, a couple of questions
>>
>> 1) Is there an easy way to level tuning pins after a restring/re-pin
other
>> than line of sight?
>