Chickering Pinblock epoxied

[Lance Lafargue]

Epotek is a water thin epoxy used for optics and is now used for piano
restoration, usually where the pinblock cannot be removed, i.e.,
Broadwoods, uprights, etc.  You BASICALLY fill all the holes with it, dry
overnight, redrill for the next size pin at the pre-existing angle, and GO!
The stuff is truly water-thin and fills all the tiny cracks.  You must be
careful to contain it as you work.  In the case of say a Steinway, you
would place wax paper, then 1" foam, then a 1" hardwood board
clamped/jack-supported from underneath the pinblock (closing the bottom of
the holes).  In the case of the Chickering, the block was treated on a
workbench, being careful that any existing bow is kept.  An info sheet is
available from Epotek. 1-800-227-2201.  The epoxy to ask for is 301.  It
comes in 8,16oz or larger sizes.  It MUST be accurately weighed with a gram
scale!!  
Lance Lafargue, RPT
New Orleans Chapter
Covington, LA.
lafargue@iamerica.net

----------
> From: rmartin21@juno.com
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Re: Chickering Pinblock epoxied
> Date: Tuesday, August 19, 1997 4:46 PM
> 
> Lance
> 
> You can use the Sciortino in the bass area as well. Just set the handle
> on the other side,
> 
> I must have missed the chats about epoxying the pin block. What do you
> mean?
> 
> Ralph Martin
> On Tue, 19 Aug 1997 13:11:27 -0500 "Lance Lafargue"
> <lafargue@iAmerica.net> writes:
> >Hello all, 
> >I wanted to report on a Chickering rebuild that I had questions about 
> >in
> >the early part of the summer.  This 5' Quarter Grand had a double 
> >flange
> >pinblock that was machined screwed to the plate.  I had underestimated 
> >the
> >amount of work I would need to do on the action, and was concerned 
> >about
> >duplicating the block.  I ended up epoxying the block with EPOTEK 
> >epoxy
> >(water thin) and redrilling for size 4  pins.  I am happy to report 
> >that
> >the pinblock feels wonderful and I have the perfect feel!  It is VERY
> >consistent.  Thanks to Dave Doremus and Ken Eschete for walking me 
> >through
> >it my first time.  I'll be doing an upright next.  
> >  I also tried using the Scortino insta-coiler to restring the whole 
> >thing
> >and it worked well.  Most of the piano I was even able to point all 
> >beckets
> >in the same direction.  Nice, tight, consistent coils.  I did have to 
> >do
> >the lower half of the bass my old way because the handle of the tool 
> >hit
> >the rim.  I found that driving all pins in first (hole pointing at 
> >tail)
> >and working left to right was the way to go.  The tool seems very 
> >durable
> >and shows absolutely NO wear.  I was worried about that.  
> >  Can anyone tell about using an impact hammer for restringing?? I've 
> >never
> >used one.  My arm was getting tired on this job (getting old?). I 
> >don't
> >want to scratch my (what I consider) beautiful gild job.  
> >Lance Lafargue, RPT
> >New Orleans Chapter
> >Covington, LA.
> >lafargue@iamerica.net
> >