Odd pin block

[Farrell]

The only potential problem I can think of not drilling the block through 
woudl be that the pin could "bottom-out" in the tuning pin hole as a result 
of turning the pin in the tightening direction - obviously depends on how 
long a pin and how thick a block.

Regarding Ron's response..... Ahhh, an honest, inclusive answer. Excellent, 
I love it.

Terry Farrell

> I don't see any evidence that it matters one way or another, other than 
> the through hole being guaranteed deep enough.

----- Original Message ----- 
>> I'm not the sharpest on new pin block installation but today I saw 
>> something that seemed odd.  While tuning an old Baldwin Grand from the 
>> thirties I pulled the action and for some reason touched the bottom of 
>> the pin block.  It was not drilled all the way through!  I don't think I 
>> have ever noticed a shallow drilled grand pin block before.  This got me 
>> to thinking about reasons why someone would drill this way?  I came up 
>> with 0!  This was a pin block installed by a technician here in the area. 
>> He is not on this list and to be truthful I don't think much of his work. 
>> So maybe its just one of those odd jobs that a less skilled technician 
>> would perform?  Or maybe its a common method used on grand pin blocks and 
>> my blind a-s just don't know it?  The grand blocks that I have dun, or 
>> helped do were drilled all the way through!  So you guys tell me.  What 
>> gives?  Thanks!
>
> I can't realistically justify a mechanical case for extra skill inherent 
> in drilling a block all the way through, compared to not, so I'd assume a 
> reason. I assume the perpetrator was/is under the 
> impression/conviction/hope that the pinblock not drilled through is more 
> resistant to moisture transfer, and some benefit to tuning stability or 
> maintenance of pin torque levels would/did/might result. There doesn't 
> seem to be any real evidence that there is any benefit to doing this, nor 
> does there seem to be any penalty. To through, or not to through, that is 
> the question. A hole by any other name would be as deep as it needs to be.
>
> I don't see any evidence that it matters one way or another, other than 
> the through hole being guaranteed deep enough.
>
> Ron N
>