At 08:17 -0500 9/1/09, CHARLES BECKER wrote: >I believe you want talc. It is different than talcum powder. Dust >the new tuning pins with talc. Put enough pins in the talc for each >wire size. Wastes less talc this way. I don't know the difference >between talc and talcum powder but I think they are not the same. Talc, talcum powder, French chalk -- all exactly the same stuff and certainly not to be used for dusting pins since it has a lubricating effect. Plain chalk powder or "whitening" is used by many people here but talc must not be used. I must admit I used talc on the first piano I ever restrung and luckily was firmly put right by an experienced man before I did my next one. I am sure the piano survived. As to chalking the hands to keep them dry and prevent sweat getting on the strings, same thing. Powdered chalk is better. JD
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