Trying to avoid the fray, but to protect newbies: If you do decide to treat a grand pinblock with CA glue because the tuning pins are loose: be aware.that water-thin CA glue can pour right through a cracked pinblock onto the action and then through the action onto the keybed, in some older pianos through the keybed onto the carpet. Utilize a syringe with a needle (readily available from your nearest farm supply store) to cleanly put the glue where you want it and not everywhere else it likes to go. Have DeBonder and a rag (paper will smoke and burn) available for when it does get where you don't want it. (It will). Don't try to flood everything. Do the treatment in two to four passes. Generally 1/4 to 1/2 a little 1oz bottle is plenty. Have adequate ventilation, better yet have an appropriate NIOSH rated respirator too. Don't get your eyes too close to the fumes. If you need more light, get more light and keep your face well clear of the work. Pull the fallboard on a grand and tape tin foil up to the bottom side of the block to contain any CA glue that might seep all the way through the block. The CA glue may not set up during the time you are there due to dry conditions so it can leak out after you have left. DAMHIK ! Leave that tin foil in until your next appointment. Plastic wrap isn't a very reliable container for CA glue although it is less likely to buzz. I've had some plastic eaten up by the glue so use foil and tape up all the edges carefully to prevent buzzing. On an upright put protection on the floor under the piano, especially if you tilt it. This is a stop-gap measure until the customer can organize his/her finances to afford a replacement or rebuild. This stop-gap measure has lasted incredibly long (years) in some situations. Some blocks are too far gone to be retrieved with CA glue, be prepared to encounter one that will not respond (don't make guarantees you can't afford). Good luck and may the force be with you :-) Andrew Anderson, Artisan Piano
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