Tommy Black/Pin Block Drilling Question

[Delwin D Fandrich]

Tommy & Joe,

Personally, I consider 5º to be a bit steep. In fact, quite a bit too steep.
The only pianos for which this might be appropriate are those using
basically solid wood blocks (or three-ply blocks) in which the manufacturer
expected the wood to fail and the plates were drilled small--the intention
being that the pin would pull forward and rest against the bottom of the
plate hole. Because of the pin angle the pin would still appear to be
centered in the hole.

With modern blocks (most of them, at least) this should not be a problem and
a drilling angle that results in the string leaving the pin with about a
1/2º to 1º up angle is more appropriate. Typically this means a drilling
angle of about 1º to 2º back from vertical.

Del


----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett@earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: March 09, 2002 5:48 PM
Subject: Tommy Black/Pin Block Drilling Question


> Tommy,
> First, I consider 7degrees a bit steep. I prefer 5 degrees. Also, my
> preference is to angle the pins in the direction of the sting tension. The
> only area, of the piano, where this sometimes can't be applied is in the
> first 3 or 4 tuning pins. On some pianos, it's awfully tight in that area,
> so a little compromising is needed, in orders to have proper Tuning Hammer
> Clearance.
> Hope this helps,
> Best Regards,
> Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon)
>