Al the last time I did a Steinway block, I used a circular saw,?a jigsaw, and a coping saw. I cut the block with the circular saw, using the guide of the saw along the stretcher,leaving about 3" or 4" at both ends. I then used a jig saw the cut the block where the circular saw cut was. That remove the block of the block. I then used a coping saw to cut the block through to the stretch, not only where the job saw cuts were made, but also at several intervals along the left over block,up to the stretcher. I was then able to remove those smaller sections very easily. For the end pieces along the rims,?I drilled out plugs, and popped out the small sections. One word of caution when removing a block from before about 1900. Those blocks were glued straight to the stretcher, without a strip of veneer. The method above might not work, but?alcohol and water will soften glue, and make it easier to separate the block from?the stretcher. I never could work a router, and although Andre's tool is probably were good, I'm just comfortable using a tool like that. It was Tom McNeal who demonstrated using a chainsaw to remove a block, I believe at the 1991?convention in Philadelphia. Very interesting idea, but, as Paul mentioned, the fumes and noise?were a distraction. Using an electric?chain saw would be better, but you had better know how to use one before?you try it, unless you need the firewood. ? Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT Piano Tuner/Technician Mililani, Oahu, HI 808-349-2943 Author of: The Business of Piano Tuning available from Potter Press www.pianotuning.com -----Original Message----- From: Al Guecia/AlliedPianoCraft <AlliedPianoCraft at hotmail.com> To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org> Sent: Sun, 24 May 2009 11:08 am Subject: [pianotech] Removing a Steinway Pinblock Dear List, ? I know this has been discussed before, but I'm about to replace another Steinway pinblock and would like to find the most efficient and easiest way to proceed. I remember using a hand held circular saw on my first pinblock (35 years ago, very young and foolish, very scary, much too dangerous?and too much hand work).?I am now?using a reciprocating saw (still too much hand work). ? I know of?three methods that I have not tried and one wild and crazy thought. ? 1) The DeWalt DW304PK. Looks like this saw will be able to cut pretty close to the stretcher with not too much hand work afterwards. I think this would be much better that the recip I've been?using. ? 2) The alcohol and water method. I don't know how time consuming this method is, but it seems to me, there wouldn't be?too much handwork?involved. ? 3) The Bolduc router method, (that looks pretty scary to me also), and also requires quite a bit of handwork. ? 4) And now a wild and crazy thought. I have an small, electric, chain saw. I was thinking about?making?up a jig to hold the saw and ride the stretcher. I just want to through this one out there to see if anyone has tried it or thought about it. I think this will still require a bit, but not too much?hand cleanup afterwards. ? All suggestions?to make this job easier with?less grunt work will be greatly appreciated. ? Al ? ? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20090524/ea07cfe5/attachment-0001.htm>
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