Tuning Pin Size Sorting Results

[Gordon Holley]

Hi Jerry, I got these pins from Schaff.  Didn't look on the box for a 
brand name.  Are you suggesting that the other sizes .288 & .289 
which is about 40% of the box shouldn't be used?. 
Regards, Gordon 
On 7 Aug 2002 at 20:47, G GRAVINA wrote:

> Gordon,
> 
> Thanks for sharing the results of your tuning pin sort.
> 
>  From .290 to .293 is actually pretty good.  What brand pins are they?
> 
> Jerry Gravina, RPT
> Babylon, NY
> 
> 
> At 09:37 AM 08/07/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> >Hello Jerry, Terry, Newton, Joe and all others that contributed to my
> >post on tuning pin sizes.  I sorted the box of 4/0 pins last night
> >and the results are as follows:  I believe a 4/0 pin dia. should be
> >.291 and the sorted batch came out with 6 size groups:
> >
> >.290 about 30% of the box
> >.289 about 20 % of the box
> >.288 about 20 % of the box
> >.291 about 15 % of the box
> >.292 about 10 % of the box
> >.293 about   5 % of the box
> >
> >So as I believe Terry said there could be 6 size groups and Jerry
> >suggests 3 to 4 groups.
> >
> >If I combine the .293 and .292 for the bass;  .291 and .290 sizes for
> >the tenor; and the .289 and .288 for the treble I should pretty much
> >have the pins divided up across the strings.
> >
> >I found one pin that was .287 at the bottom and .292 at the top of
> >the threads, it would roll on a table top is a very wide arc, so I
> >threw this one out, but all others were straight.
> >
> >Another point I picked up at The Charles Walter Piano Company here in
> >Elkhart, IN.  They dump the box of pins in a strainer basket that is
> >in a little larger pan of denatured alcohol, lift the strainer basket
> >out, let the pins drain dry and then install the pins.  They do not
> >check the pins for size.  They feel that the alcohol cleans the pins
> >and have followed this procedure for some time.  I saw this being
> >done while visiting on the production line.  Any comments on this as
> >I've not read or heard of this procedure before.
> >
> >Any further comments or suggestions on my sorting results?
> >
> >Regards, Gordon Holley, Goshen, Indiana (Sister community to Elkhart)