Hard pin setting was( Setting them pins!)

[SUSAN P SWEARINGEN]

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Hi Benny,

I first started learning to tune with a brand new Yamaha U1 while I was =
making my way through the Randy Potter course.  The pins were (and still =
are) very tight on this particular piano and I always felt I was =
fighting with the tuning lever, especially up in the treble, where =
smaller pin movements are needed.=20

I understand what you are saying about your technique and I think it's =
valid but I was never comfortable with tweaking the pin too much.  As =
long as you are placing the small amount of natural twist in the pin, =
you will be fine, but I never mastered the technique.  Instead, I use an =
impact hammer and easily move the pins above and below the target pitch =
in smaller and smaller increments, finishing with a small upward turn to =
pitch.  This ensures that the non-speaking length is at a slightly =
higher tension than the speaking length and, according to Dean Reyburn, =
makes the string very stable.  I have been using this technique for over =
a year now with very good results.  The impact hammer is absolutely =
great for quick pitch raises and for fine tuning, allows very minute =
changes in the tuning pin, something Ive never been able to achieve with =
a traditional lever. =20

The impact hammer I have has interchangeable weights so for lower-torque =
pins, I simply put on a lighter weight.  In my opinion, it is easier to =
learn how to use an impact hammer than a traditional lever.  However, =
for people who have used a traditional lever for a long period of time, =
most don't seem to care much for the impact hammer.  Of course, I should =
let others on this list speak for themselves.

The impact lever from Shaff is ok but Keith Bowman can make you a nice =
one that works beautifully.  Give it a try.  I bet you will love it!

Corte Swearingen
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Benny L. Tucker=20
  To: Pianotech=20
  Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 10:41 PM
  Subject: Re: Hard pin setting was( Setting them pins!)


  To clarify what I meant by hard pin setting. What I'm trying to =
describe about my technique is this. After getting the pin in the =
correct position, with the pitch "sharp", I like to flex the pin "not =
flagpoling", downpitch to the perfect unison.
  I have always felt that the resistance felt during this downpitch flex =
should be moderate. In other words, just a little more pushing down and =
the whole pin will turn, but it takes great effort to pull the pin back =
up-pitch.
      My thinking is that I don't want the string to be able to pull the =
pin down any further, because I have already pounded it in with moderate =
flex downpitch.
      I was just wondering if I might be "flexing" the pin downpitch too =
much, and therefore the pin "unwinds" after I leave and pulls the pitch =
sharp. I am now trying to set the pins with a lot less "flex", like at =
the beginning of resistance.
  Does this make sense? Anyhow, I appreciate all your advice!!

  Thanks.
     =20
  Benny L. Tucker
  Precision Piano Tuning & Repair
  Thomaston, Ga.

    ----- Original Message -----=20
    From: Wimblees@aol.com=20
    To: pianotech@ptg.org=20
    Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 11:03 PM
    Subject: Re: Setting them pins!


    In a message dated 2/20/03 3:46:34 AM !!!First Boot!!!, =
precisionpiano@alltel.net writes:


      So, my question this time, "How hard to you guys and gals set the =
pins"?
      And do you feel confident with it's holding power?

      Thanks for your input!

      Benny L. Tucker
      Precision Piano Tuning &Repair



    Benny

    Setting the pin is not something that is considered "hard." So I =
don't know exactly what you are saying when you say your setting the pin =
hard. The strings, yes, you should hit the key hard, so that the string =
will settle down, and be rendered over all the pressure points.=20

    But to set the pin, your doing the right thing, by releasing the =
tension. But you might want to do one more thing. When the string is =
"there," and you've released the tension on the pin, just wiggle the =
tuning hammer a little. Don't put pressure on the pin, and don't bend =
it. But with your fingers, just lift up the handle of the hammer and =
wobble it up and down. (or back and forth on a vertical). That is all =
there is to setting the pin.=20

    And as far as your tunings staying or not. Although setting the pin =
and the string will make it more stable, if a piano is out after several =
months, especially after the winter we've just had, it isnot anything =
you did wrong. All of our pianos went haywire this winter.=20

    Wim 
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