Doweled and Fully Fit Pinblocks

[Fenton Murray]

Thank you, Ed. Very nice.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <A440A at aol.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2008 6:34 PM
Subject: Re: Doweled and Fully Fit Pinblocks


>
> << I would love to read procedures for nailing this left, right, tight at
> both ends fit. It is, after all one that can be seen by every one. >>
>
>   I can usually get a block in with no more than .020" sideplay, and that 
> is
> because of bad eyes, I suppose.  There are times when there is no 
> sideplay,
> but fitting is more difficult,(though as Jon says, rounding off the 
> opposing
> edges will allow it to slip in and out without damaging the finish.
>   I drill two .050" holes in each end of the old block, through the plate,
> before I take it out. Once the plate is removed, and before I cut the 
> block
> out,  I push a #  20 centerpin into each hole and take a using a dial 
> micrometer,
> I measure the distance from the pins to the sides and the proximal pin to 
> the
> stretcher.  This can be done to the thousandth of an inch.  Record these
> numbers.  Once the new, oversize block is fitted to the plate, use the 
> holes in
> the plate to drill new index holes in the new block.  Get the micrometer 
> back
> out, and measuring from the holes, place a chisel mark where the sides and
> stretcher used to be.  I can then cut the block with the kerf just 
> touching the
> chisel marks. I then put the block in the piano, screw the plate to it, 
> and make
> sure the plate is back where it was originally.  Done carefully, it will 
> be
> within a couple of thousandths.  I then glue the block to the case sides 
> and
> stretcher while it is still attached to the plate, (which is held  in its
> original position).  To duplicate the original position,  sometimes I have 
> to prop up
> the tail of the plate to match the position it had with the strings off, 
> rim
> bolts out, yet still screwed to the block. Some of these plates are flexed
> over the nose bolts, and this is the way of maintaining that, if desired.
>   After the glue cures, I lift the plate out and install dowels into the
> case and stretcher.  I can then bolt the plate back in, knowing that it 
> was just
> like originally.  After that, I can move the nose bolts for bearing 
> purposes,
> knowing where I am so that I don't overflex the thing.
>   I do like Jon's idea of a pattern for the end angles, might try that on
> this one.
> Hope that helps.
> Regards,
>
>
>
>
> Ed Foote RPT
> http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
> www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
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