[pianotech] those pesky tuning pin bushings

[Jim Moy]

TonyTheTuner, I love it.

:-)

On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 9:11 AM, Anthony Smith <tonythetuner at hotmail.com> wrote:
> Yup, that's right Dean.  I do use the vacuum as well.  I still take breaks
> but they are less frequent.  Clamping?  Heck I just used some good 'ol duct
> tape in the right spots.  J
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dean May [mailto:deanmay at pianorebuilders.com]
> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 6:21 AM
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] those pesky tuning pin bushings
>
>
>
> If you have someone hold a vacuum next to the bit going into the hole as was
> shown in my previous picture you won't have any problems with the bit
> staying cool. It's a lot less messier as well.
>
>
>
> If you were really organized about it you could devise a method of clamping
> the vacuum onto the drill press so no helper is needed.
>
>
>
> Dean
>
> Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
>
> PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
>
> Terre Haute IN  47802
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
> Of Anthony Smith
> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 3:17 AM
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] those pesky tuning pin bushings
>
>
>
> I'm sorry, I drill at a 7 degree angle.  NOT 30.
>
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>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Anthony Smith [mailto:tonythetuner at hotmail.com]
> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 1:07 AM
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] those pesky tuning pin bushings
>
>
>
> Hi Gene,
>
>
>
> Never had any bushings split on me.  I always fit and attach the block to
> the plate first.  Then drive the bushings into the plate before drilling.  I
> don't drill by hand.  I cut the post of an extended throat drill press to
> accommodate a plate that is on an upright tilter.  Clamp the drill press to
> a piano dolly at a 30 degree angle. I can move from hole to hole making sure
> I line up with the angle of the string for which I'm drilling.  Drill
> through the bushing and the block at the same time.  I use 3-4 "jobber" bits
> from Pianotek that correspond with the pins I'm using.  I have to let the
> bit cool every few minutes but that ensures uniform hole size.  It usually
> takes me about 1 ½ hours to drill all the holes.  Very efficient.  Always
> had uniform pin torque.  It is a bit involved to get it set up initially but
> once you have it, works like a charm everytime.  36 pianos and counting.  No
> split bushings.  The drill press cost me about $225.  It can be found
> here:
> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44846
>
>
>
> The great thing is that it doesn't matter what size pin you are using.  It
> always works, whether you coil the strings around the pins and then drive in
> or if you drive in a little bit then string the piano.  Because you drill
> the hole in the bushing matching the hole in the pinblock.
>
>
>
> Anthony Smith
>
> Phoenix, AZ
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gene Nelson [mailto:nelsong at intune88.com]
> Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 2:00 PM
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: [pianotech] those pesky tuning pin bushings
>
>
>
> Hello list,
>
> Does anyone have a technique to prevent most of the tuning pin bushings from
> splitting?
>
> I drilled the block outside of the piano, not a thought about bushings.
>
> The way that I string, I coil the string round the pin and punch it into the
> hole with the bushing in place.
>
> Splits every time.
>
> The bushing hole diameters are all 250 but the 2.0 tuning pin is oversize by
> 031
>
> Drilling the bushings to match the tuning pins is tedious and still about
> 50% will split.
>
> What am I missing?
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> Gene