"Pin Block Drilling Fixture"2

[Farrell]

Joe, this sounds like quite a contraption. I like the idea that it can do all sorts of drilling away from the bench. But I must admit, I can't even come close to picturing this thing in my head. Any chance of a photo (pic says 1,000 words!)? How does it get out over the piano? Seems to me it either needs to be five-feet long to stradle over the front of the piano, or it needs to have a shelf arrangement that sticks out from the main box on wheels and extends out over the piano. I'm sorry but I just don't seem to have a clue as to the general arrangement here (the "big picture"). Help?!?!

Terry Farrell
  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett@earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 7:28 PM
Subject: "Pin Block Drilling Fixture"2


> Terry, et al,
> It is heavy for a reason: Betters accuracy. No, it is not difficult to
> build. It is a box w/external adjustable legs, (made out of 2/4's. It has
> shelves inside the front doors that are  full-extension glides. On the top
> is mounted a 2'x2'x2" piece of butcher block; it is hinged for incremental
> angles. (The major angle is obtained by adjusting the legs) The incremental
> angle is adjusted by carriage bolts/"t" nuts (2). I have a Delta/Rockwell
> Radial drill press. (Olde, but same as current model). I bought an extra
> mounting base and affixed it to the butcher block. I also bought one extra
> vertical column, which I machine cut in 3 different lengths: 6", 9" & 7 1/2"
> (what was left). The box is approx. 22" wide x 24" deep x 28" high. I has 4
> shelves for the tuning pin storage/weight. The box has doors that swing out
> and have a latch, when closed, to keep it closed and contain the t.pins. the
> whole thing is sitting on a platform made of channel iron w/casters welded
> to it and a 1" thick piece of plywood that is approx. 33" x 28" overall. The
> box is not "mounted" on the platform, it simply sits on it. I first tried
> casters on the legs of the box, but the "caster" action" screwed up the
> depth accuracy; hence the platform.
> This whole contraption is infinitely adjustable for all drilling, (in the
> piano), applications. As I work on infinitely different pianos, I needed
> something that would do the job ALL the time. It works on Uprights as well
> as Square Grands, Grands and anything else needing portable (well?...)
> drilling. It also serves the dual purpose of housing all the Tuning Pins I
> have in stock. (Back in the 70's we had an extreme shortage of tuning pins,
> so I keep a good stock now!)(Dern US Steel!) But that's another story.
> I hope this makes the earlier posting a little clearer. If not, then use
> your imagination and ingenuity.
> Best Regards,
> Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon)
> 
>