Jumping Pins - Reply

[Al Jeschke]

        For what it's worth, this is an experience I had while rebuilding a
Steinway grand for a music teacher in another city.  A previous "tooner" had
applied a tuning pin tightener, which I believe could very well have been
glycol antifreeze.  The pinblock otherwise appeared to be in very good
condition, and I was not about ready to remove the glued in pinblock.  The
first test pins installed were so jumpy, it would have been absolutely
immpossible to tune the piano if restrung in the manner as the first test
pins.  I went to work to try and rectify the problem by first swabbing a
tuning pin hole with lacquer and immediately drive a tuning pin.  Though
very slightly less, I still had the jumpy pin.  I then swabbed another
pinhole with lacquer, let it dry overnight and drove in the tuning pin next
day.  To my, rather delightful surprise, my problem was solved.  I proceeded
doing the same to all the tuning pin holes with the same result as with the
last test pin.  That happened in 1978.  Curious as to how the job lasted, I
enquired from the technician about a year or two ago, who services that
piano regularly, and was told that the piano tunes as normal as any other piano.
        For all who might try this, I hope it works as well for you.

Al Jeschke  RPT
Jeschke's Piano Sevice
Calgary, Alberta
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Dick Day, you wrote:-

>The piano is a Kohler & Campbell spinet.  25 years old.
>
>Strings, hammers, dampers and cosmetically the piano is in excellent
>condition (for a PSO).  It hasn't been used much.
>
>However it is untunable because every tuning pin above the bass section is
>jumpy.
>
>The size of the pins is #2.  I tried chalk.
>I replaced one pin with a #3 after reaming out the hole with a #3 reamer.
> Helped only slightly.
>
>I replaced another pin with a #4 after reaming out with a #4.  This seemed to
>be less jumpy but turned really hard.
>
>I think replacing the pinblock is not an option due to cost.  But seems a
>shame to junk the instrument when the rest is in such good shape.
>
>I have heard of
>1.  Putting varnish in the pinholes.
>2.  Swabbing out with naptha.
>
>What does the list suggest?  I told my customer I was going to the internet
>to do some research, so we are both anxiously awaiting the wisdom of the
>august body.  Many thanks from "where the heck is spring gone to Michigan."
>
>Dick Day
>Marshall MI
>
>
>