[pianotech] Joe Garrett's recipe for TP bushings

[David Love]

PDF is typically a type of varnish without all the driers and other
additives, just the pure resin.  Synthetic reducer is the thinner.
Depending on the type of resin the thinner might be xylene or mineral
spirits.  The PDF that I use requires xylene.  The PDF lubricates the pin
for driving it in (thus the name) and perhaps the wood fibers lining the
hole go through a bit less stress and/or damage during that process.  When
the pin is first driven it feels quite loose, though it doesn't slip when
the tension is pulled up.  Once the PDF dries (about a day) the torque firms
up and the movement of the pin is very smooth and uniform.  I've used it for
several years now.  It adds a step to the process of stringing but I like
how it eases the driving of the pin somewhat and the feel of the block
afterwards.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Gene Nelson
Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2008 6:03 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Joe Garrett's recipe for TP bushings

Sorry but I do not know what synthetic reducer or pin driving fluid is or is

intended for.
Earlier, pin driving fluid was described as xylol or something like that??
Besides making the pin drive in easier? does it have and effect on the feel 
of the pin in the block? is it permanent?
I like the feel of the pin now and really do not want to change it midway 
through stringing.
Who uses driving fluid and why? What is the most common driving fluid?
Has anyone ever used violin bow resin?
Gene
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Clark Sprague" <CSPRAGUE4 at woh.rr.com>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2008 3:34 PM
Subject: [pianotech] Joe Garrett's recipe for TP bushings


>I did some research in my saved emails, and found Joe's recipe for keeping 
>tuning pin bushings from splitting.   I hope it would be ok with Joe to 
>share it (he sent this to the list in 2006):
>
> On a grand I'm rebuilding the old tuning pin bushings
> were .41 od but I am unable to find a new set that is
> anything smaller than about .44 od.
>
> Would you just not put in bushings on this one, or do
> you have a quick method of reducing the size of the
> bigger bushings?
>
>
> Just soak them in a mixture of Synthetic Reducer and pin driving fluid, 
> until they sink to the bottom of the container. This makes them very 
> pliable and also makes them impervious to splitting. Also, they will not 
> lose their "grip" on the tuning pin. Been doing it for years. Oh, mix 
> 50:1, (That's 50 parts S.R. & 1 part pindriving fluid.
>
>
> Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
> Captain, Tool Police
> Squares R I
>
> Clark A. Sprague, RPT
>