Ditch the tuning pin bushings

[Joseph Garrett]

Richard and List,
I guess now's the time I should tell you how I install tuning pin bushings.
I developed this method several years ago and it has proven to be a good
system, for me.
First I determine the size(s) needed for the upcoming job.
I place sufficient bushings in a jar with a solution of 10 parts Synthetic
Reduce, (the thinner for the pin driving fluid I use), and 1 part Pin
Driving fluid. I allow these bushings to remain in the solution until I'm
ready to string and all of the bushings have become super-saturated to the
point that they sink. This makes the bushing very pliable.
As I string, I take about a dozen bushings out of the solution and place
them on a paper towel. (This part is a "feel" thing as I don't want the
solution squirting all over the place and yet I want the bushing to remain
pliable.) I insert the bushing and then string. This process allows the
tuning pin to compress the bushing, but doesn't "ream" any of the wood away.
Once the pin is in place the bushing seats tightly against the plate and the
tuning pin. When it has dried, it gives the bushings a nice "finished" look
and it is tight in the plate and around the tuning pin. Essentially, I have
finish throughout the entire bushing. That's the way I do it and it's worked
well for me. The end result IMHO is a more stable tuning pin with little or
no flag-pole effect.
Regards,
Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Brekne" <rbrekne@broadpark.no>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2001 10:28 AM
Subject: Re: Ditch the tuning pin bushings


>
>
> Joseph Garrett wrote:
>
> > Richard,
> > That is somewhat how I did it, but the epoxy is not needed, IMHO.
> > Joe Garrett
> >
>
> You may be right there... but one of the things I like least about plate
> bushings is their tendency to work there way loose. Many techs just turn
back a
> pin 4 full turns when changing a string... not a good idea in my book but
thats
> another story.... in anycase you see these bushings turning out and
following
> the pin..and you see the results of somebody trying to mash the darn
things back
> into the plate with a screwdriver or some other ....grin .... "perfectly
> appropriate tool".
>
> The epoxy is  supposed to solve that kinda thing.
>
> Richard Brekne
> RPT, N.P.T.F.
> Bergen, Norway
> mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no
>
>