Weird tuning pin experience

[Iyugen]

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          There are several Chickering quarter grands listed at
pianomart.com with photos and details.  Perhaps that would help.

          Sean Larson
  -----Original Message-----
  From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On
Behalf Of Alan R. Barnard
  Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 3:41 PM
  To: pianotech@ptg.org
  Subject: Weird tuning pin experience


  Talked here before about the Chickering "Quarter Grand" I'm am trying to
keep alive for a client... pinblock replacement not a reasonable, affordable
option.

  Pins are only about 20-25 in. lbs. torque.

  Tunes okay, doesn't hold. Has DC installed 4 mos. ago.

  Pulled pin and found it is a 3/0. Judging from the piano's history,
strings' appearance and the pin size, I think this was restrung about 16
years ago by a piano store. If so, the pinblock was probably already showing
its age then -- maybe they didn't want to jump to 4/0 for fear of making
cracks worse.

  Used #60 sandpaper shim, drove the pin partway in but stopped because it
seemed EXTRAORDINARILY tight. Tried to back it out with tuning hammer--got a
tuning head off that's been a permanent feature of the hammer for 3
years--but could not budge the pin!

  Finally used a ratchet wrench with the tip off my torque wrench and
removed the pin with considerable effort. Replaced it with a 2/0 (sandpaper
still in place) and drove it in. It now has about 75 lbs of holding torque.

  Oh what a difference 0.004" can make. (Yes, I measured the pins.)

  Now ... if we want to shim other pins, do I have to get a set of 2/0's or
look for a thinner sandpaper? Try the veneer option? Take the piano off
life-support? Set fire to it?

  Customer asked another funny question:"If I decide to sell it, what's it
worth?" Well, the case is beautiful, it sounds okay (if tuned maybe 4 times
a year, that is). I shaped the hammers and regulated the action--it's not
perfect but plays quite nicely. Backchecks need new skins and regulating.

  So I gave him the old "whatever the buyer is willing to pay and you are
willing to accept" answer. But that seems like a rotten answer as it gives
him no clue for a starting point. Well, I don't have much experience to help
him, either.

  ANYONE?

  Alan Barnard
  Performing CPR (Critical Piano Repairs) in Salem, MO


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