[pianotech] To ream or not to ream? - that is the question.

[phil at emvkeys.ca]

Hi Chuck

I'm a very green tech but I'm going to respond from the hip

I think there may be some misunderstanding as to the meanings of 
drilling and reaming. As I understand from my limited experience in 
metal machining, simply put, a drill will cut a hole in the direction in 
which you aim it while a ream will faithfully follow the center line of 
a previously drilled hole. I can fully understand why one might avoid 
drilling (due to the possibility of inconsistent results) but favor 
reaming (because careful reaming can actually restore hole-to-hole 
consistency).

Phil

(I hope I don't reamed for saying this)





Chuck Behm wrote:
> With the results of the surveyabout repinning that I posted twice 
> coming in, I'm noticing a very interesting divergence of opinion on 
> the topic of reaming out the holes of an old pinblock ......
>  
> Anyway, here are sample comments from 2 technicians who sent me 
> information about the way they repin.
>  
> Technician A: "No reaming is required .... The block will be uneven if 
> your ream."
>  
> Technician B: "I will always drill out the block for new pins. I don't 
> feel like I can get consistent torque any other way."
>  
> Huh? So which way is it?