Replacing front and balance rail pins

[David Love]

You don't need a pin puller.  The balance rail pins are usually drilled
through the bottom.  Just turn the keyframe over and pop them out with a
punch.  If the front rail pins are drilled through you can do the same.
If not, just use an old pair of wire cutters which will grab the pins
nicely and a wooden dowel to pry against and pry them out.  You can take
out both sets in about 10 minutes.  Measure the height before you take
them out and use a hammer shank taped to a punch for indexing and drive
them back in.  Attach a piece of leather to the end of the punch with
some double stick or some CA so you don't mar the plating.  When you're
done turn the keyframe over and put a couple drops of thin CA glue in
the bottom of the hole of the balance rail pins to size and secure.  Do
the same for the front rail unless they are not drilled through.  Then
do it from the top side but put the glue into a hypo-oiler first so that
you don't get any glue on the pin higher than will be covered by the
front rail punchings.  Be prepared for a bit of spacing work when you
get the keys back in.    

David Love
davidlovepianos@comcast.net 

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On
Behalf Of michael campi
Sent: Saturday, October 16, 2004 6:39 AM
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Replacing front and balance rail pins

hey there,
I thought I would dip into the genius soup and see if anyone has devised
a 
quick and accurate method of replacing front and balance rail pins. I
know 
pianotek sells a pin puller but is there anything made for pressing the
pins 
back into the rails. Any help or detailed description of your tried and
true 
method would be appreciated. I am still looking for a copy of Piano Tone

Building that someone wants to unload.
Michael

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