Using a pinblock-restorer and setting the pinos, too, is often a good idea. HOWEVER use the PBR *first* and then, when it's done its stuff, set the pins. Don't set the pins first and then use the PBR. Although a lot has been writtn recently about the use of CA glue, the pins in your piano sound so loose that I think you might be better off using Garfield's Pinblock Restorer, applied with a hypo-oiler. If the pins are really loose and you don't have to contend with plate bushings, you can make the first treatment full-strength--that is without dilut- ing the Garfield's 50/50 with alcohol as is usually done. If the piano does have plate bushings around the tuning pins, putting a small hole in them on the *keyboard* side of the bushing will often aid absorption into the pinblock. Make sure you remove the action BEFORE doping the block. If you think Garfield's works well on tuning pins, just wait till you can see how it can tighten up action centers! :) Initially, go over the pinblock at least twice with the Garfield's, or until the pinblock won't absorb any more. Give it a week to do its stuff. If the pins are still somewhat loose, give it another treatment and wait another week. Sometimes multiple applications are required, but Garfields has withstood the test of time and many technicians swear by it. Once the pins feel tight enough, you can go through and set the pins a little deeper into the block as extra insurance. Do this with the action OUT of the piano and use a pinblock support jack under the block as you are pounding the pins in. If you don't, your pounding may cause the block to delaminate or separate, especially in older pianos. I've seen pianos where the action couldn't be removed because some bozo technician had started pounding on tuning pins without supporting the block, and the lower laminations were sitting on the hammer flanges. Don't let this happen to you! Before attempting any repair on this instrument, I suggest that you re- move the action and inspect the pinblock VERY CAREFULLY. You mentioned that it appeared as if another technician had already attempted to set some of the pins. It's possible that the pinblock may already be damaged beyond any hope of repair, if he chose to pound in those pins without supporting the pinblock first. So check it out thoroughly for damage BEFORE attempting any repair. If your use of PBR and setting the pins fails to correct the loose pin problem, and you later discover that the pinblock is, indeed, delaminated due to the pounding of the previous technician, the owner may decide that YOU are to blame and not he! So check out that PB thorougly, before attempting any repair. In other words, CYA! Good luck! Les Smith lessmith@buffnet.net On Mon, 14 Apr 1997, BILL &PAT HOPKINS wrote: > > I tuned a piano recently that had loose tuning pins. In the upper treble I > noticed someone had "banged" the tuning pins further into the pinblock. > Should the same be done to the remainder of the piano. This piano has > sentimental value to the customer and are willing to try anything. > I also tried to set a few bass tuning pins into the pinblock. They went in > awfully easy. Is pin dope an option? > Would it be beneficial to just trying setting the pins deeper into the > pinblock and then dope it up? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks > >
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