I 'spec someone does ...

Andrew and Rebeca Anderson anrebe at sbcglobal.net
Wed Sep 26 21:41:40 MDT 2007


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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