Pinblocks

[Ed Sutton]

Hi Avery,
    Yes. They are available with 2/0 and 1/0 tops; the bottoms are both
3.5/0.
    Paul Larudee gives the thought behind them in articles in the January
and February 2002 PTJournals.
    He recommended the 1/0 topped pins to me.
    The pins seem to work just as he described in the articles.
    I've just restrung a Steinway A and a 5'2" C. F. Stein. Both 1920's
vintage with original pinblocks and not previously restrung. They both tune
very easily.  If I didn't know, I'd think there was a new pinblock in there.
    Write him at <larudee@pacbell.net> and he'll send you some sample pins.
Ed

----------
>From: Avery Todd <atodd@UH.EDU>
>To: caut@ptg.org
>Subject: Re: Pinblocks
>Date: Tue, Mar 5, 2002, 10:33 AM
>

> Hi Ed,
>
> More info, please. :-) Are these the pins I've seen talked about that
> are the same size as 2/0 at the top but are bigger 3/0 - 4/0, whatever,
> on the section of the pin which goes into the block?
>
> Avery
>
>>Dear Ray,
>>I've just restrung two pianos using Paul Larudee's Lo Torq pins, and the
>>results are excellent.  Your pianos would be excellent candidates.  Assuming
>>your pianos have #2 pins, I would recommend reaming with a #4 reamer from
>>Schaff, then repinning with LoTorq 1/3.5 pins.  Chuck the reamer in a heavy
>>duty electric drill, put a depth stop at about 2 inches, drill in and out
>>once on each hole, and preferably blow compressed air on the reamer while
>>you work.
>>I highly recommend these pins to college technicians.  In a Steinway
>>pinblock, these pins tune as well as #2 pins, maybe even a little better.
>>They provide a quality alternative to pinblock replacement.
>>Ed Sutton
>>
>>----------
>>>From: "Breakall, Raymond" <rbreakal@richmond.edu>
>>>To: "'caut@ptg.org'" <caut@ptg.org>
>>>Subject: Pinblocks
>>>Date: Mon, Mar 4, 2002, 12:09 PM
>>>
>>
>>>  Dear list,
>>>
>>>  Anyone have a good way to drill pinblocks while in the piano? I have a
>>>  couple of Steinways where the pinblock is in good shape but needs oversize
>>>  pins. I have heard about table drill configurations where the drill can be
>>>  mounted over the pinblock area on a sliding rail. Any ideas?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  Ray Breakall
>>>  Piano Technician
>>>  University of Richmond
>>>  Richmond, VA
>>>  (804)287-6342
>>>
>