<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1400" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>     Seems like driving the = pin out the bottom would unnecessarily widen the<BR>bottom of the hole.  = Usually the pin can be backed off enough to where the<BR>coils are loose but not = yet distorting or twisting the becket (the bend of<BR>the wire where it = enters the pin).  Then pluck the becket out of the pin<BR>with needle nose = pliers and pull it off the pin with a stringing hook, or<BR>leave it on the pin and = back the pin out with a T-handle or ratchet or even<BR>a tuning pin socket in = a drill -- use a variable speed one with slow rpm.<BR>Sometimes when backing out = with the coils still on the pin, the wire will<BR>"find" the hole in the pin = again and get caught and break off, so watch it.<BR>    Then do = your shimming or reaming and turn or drive the pin back = in.<BR>    If the becket does break, you can insert a screwdriver through the = coils<BR>and pull carefully towards yourself with both hands to unwind the = coils,<BR>then make a new bend.  You won't have 3 coils any more, but the only<BR>alternative is splice or new string.<BR>    I = thought driving pins out the bottom was only for broken pins that<BR>can't be = extracted any other way.  There's a danger of separating the = bottom<BR>pinblock lamination if it's not supported on the edges of the = hole.<BR>    --David Nereson, RPT<BR><BR>I don't drive the pin out through the = bottom, I take a small punch from the bottom of the block and tap the pin up to get the = coil off of the plate.  If it were in the middle of the piano coil, = beckett, or string replacement wouldn't be a problem.  The only time I have = done this is usually on pretty nasty pianos and you are trying to make it = work.  If you are on A0, with a sharp string angle and 2 inches of wire past the = agraffe, the chances of getting that string off are minimal without = problems.  Just pull the action and tap up on the pin, there are no block problems and = you can set the pin to any height that you want. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>Phil</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>