[pianotech] Removing a Steinway Pinblock

[Ed Sutton]

Paul-
You are referring to cutting the block into two pieces before removing it.
Well, having learned it this way (using Cliff Geers method of splitting the block from the stretcher), it never occurred to me that it was no longer necessary.
Since cutting the block with a hand saw is my least favorite part of the procedure, I will gladly omit that step!
Thank you!
Ed
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: PAULREVENKOJONES at aol.com 
  To: ed440 at mindspring.com 
  Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 3:44 AM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Removing a Steinway Pinblock




  In a message dated 5/24/2009 6:28:42 P.M. Central Daylight Time, ed440 at mindspring.com writes:
    Cut with the router, saw through between the bass and tenor, drill out the end dowels, crank up with a jack and hit with a mallet, and the block pops out in two neat pieces.
  Ed, and all...

  This is an absolutely unnecessary step. Why have two pieces to use as a template when one whole one works better? Of course you have to drill out the end dowels. 

  First give the stretcher a whack with a rubber mallet to make sure it is totally free along its length. Take one of your pinblock jacks and place it just to the treble side of the notch of the block and jack up the block so that you have it tensioned upward (visibly curved) by the jack, then with a good small sledge (I use my pin driving sledge--a 3-pounder), strike the block with a good blow on the treble side of where the jack is placed. Because of the tension the entire block will pop loose on the bass end and can be lifted out as a whole. It works every time, although it might take two or three strikes with the sledge. 

  Paul


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