[pianotech] CA pinblock with tight bushings

[Joseph Garrett]

Mike,
The reason for the long drill bit is so the drill chuck doesn't bump into the tuning pins. AND, you can guide it very close to the coils, so that the drill hole is almost straight down. BTW, I did an automatic center punch, set on light, to make sure the drill did not "skate". If a 6" to 7" long drill would have been available, it would have been slightly less cumbersome, but "jobber" bits are "just" a  bit too short for this job, IMO. As others have commented: IF the tuning pins have pulled forward, leaving a gap, then all this would not be necessary. When the bushing is tight around the entire circumference, I think it is necessary, to get maximum bang for your buck. Just my take on it. (and a little  bit of personal experience in the DAMHIK category.<G>
Regards,
Joe
Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Mike Spalding 
To: joegarrett at earthlink.net;pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: 2/14/2011 3:29:06 PM 
Subject: Re: [pianotech] CA pinblock with tight bushings


Joe, 

Thanks for your experience, and your encouragement.  I'm going to try it if the customer decides to go ahead.  I'm curious why the long drill bit.  I figure 3/8 depth of hole plus about 1" of exposed pin, a standard jobber's bit should be long enough??

Keith, I suppose this is just personal preference, but I'd rather drill 228 holes than flip a 6' 6" grand that's sitting on a stage truck.  Thanks for the reminder about turning the pin - I have done that in the past, and it did seem to help, although it doesn't help tuning stability!!

Dean, if this project flies you'll get your report!

Mike

On 2/14/2011 1:28 PM, Joseph Garrett wrote: 
Mike asked: 
"During a recent thread on CA for pinblocks, someone mentioned the idea 
of drilling a small hole down through each bushing to improve the flow 
of CA to the block. I believe this person had not tried it yet, but was 
considering it. I have a situation (newish Asian grand, tight bushings, 
loose block) where this might be the only way to get the CA where it 
belongs. Has anyone tried this technique, and if so, with what results?
thanks"

Mike,
I think that was me. Good news....I have tried it and it works very well! I drilled a 1/16" hole down through each bushing. I had to do it on the piano, as it was an English Thang that had conical shaped bushings! BTW, this is my very most favorite upright in my collection. It had suffered some really traumatic conditons while out on loan. (grrrr!) 
I used a 12" - 1/16" drill bit, (Ace Hardware, I believe the brand is Hanson), and a light weight corded variable speed drill. It's a bit time consuming, but the ease that the CA gets into the pinblock, far out weighs that, IMO! I put the piano on a tilter to make it easier. Worked like a dream.
Good luck,
Joe
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