John Peters, RPT writes: >I'm interested in what tools (i.e., torque wrenches, etc) and procedures >other tuners are using in the field to tighten down plate screws and bolts >prior to tuning. What about the screws partially under strings? Thanks = in >advance. I use two small tools that fit into a tuning hammer start tip. One = is phillips, the other regular (slotted) screws. I also carry = several sockets and an adjustable wrench for those pianos which have = bolts, not screws. Last time I checked, Pacific Piano Supply carried the two small tools = made by Francis MaHaefey (sp?). Any of Francis's tools I have used = are great, especially his impact tuning hammer. I do not use a torque wrench, but do it by feel. Hand tight is fine. = I prefer to tighten all accessible plate bolts on new customer's = pianos, on the first service, and once every few years after that. = The best time to check them (in Michigan at least) is in the winter = when humidity is low. Watch out for several types of grand pianos which do not need the = plate *rim* bolts tightened, namely newer Yamaha "F" series grands = and, I believe, Baldwin grands built since the 1970's. I don't tune = many Baldwins, so maybe someone elsce could comments on that. These = grands (and some others possibly) have bolts that set the height of = the plate, and should not be turned. The other screws and bolts = around the tuning pin area of these pianos still need tightening. I do not like to tighten "nose" bolts on plates, they don't ever = seem to loosen from season change like other plate bolts (and = tightening them can be risky). I don't do heroic measures to tighten = bolts such as moving strings, unless it is a problem piano. Plate bolt/screw tightening is more critical on pianos with tuning = pin bushings such as Yamahas, than it is for pianos such as Steinways = that have no pin bushings. Non pin bushing pianos rely more on the = tuning pin to pinblock connection to transfer pressure. At least = that=B9s my experience. I still tighten bolts on Steinways, but with = Yamahas and Kawais, I have seen several instances where pianos went = from holding tune poorly to holding very well after tightening = bolts/screws on the plate. Just my opinion and experience... Hope that helps. Dean ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dean L. Reyburn, RPT Sanderson Accu-Tuner REYBURN PIANO SERVICE, INC. Authorized Distributor 2695 Indian Lakes Rd, NE "Software Solutions Cedar Springs, MI 49319 USA for Piano Technicians" 616-696-0500 Fax: 616-696-8121 email: dean@reyburn.com NEW Toll free: 1-888-SOFT-440 See Accu-Tuners and our software at our Web site: www.reyburn.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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