<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" = http-equiv=Content-Type> <META content="MSHTML 5.00.3314.2100" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#b8b8b8> <DIV><FONT size=4>David,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4>The answer to #1 is: I do not use these tapered = pins. Nor, do I use any pin smaller than 2/0 for restringing purposes, unless it is a restoration of an antique type piano. To clarify the configuration of a "tapered" tuning pin: the top of the tuning pin is larger than the = bottom threaded end.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4>#2: I agree that a certain amount of flex is needed = and I certainly do not approach the Plate Bushing with the idea of making the = pin less flexable. However, as we all know, excessive flag-poling can be a real = pain, in the tuning process. My personal feeling is that, if the plate webbing is = more than 1/8" thick, (which most are), then a properly installed plate = bushing will help, not hinder the tuning pin feel.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4>regards,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=4>Joe Garrett</FONT></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: = 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A href="mailto:skolnik@attglobal.net" = title=skolnik@attglobal.net>David Skolnik</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org" title=pianotech@ptg.org>pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, May 14, 2001 = 10:38 AM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Larudee's mystery - = Was: Ditch the tuning pin bushings</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV>Paul, Joe-<BR><BR>Joe, it sounds to me as though Paul = is describing something different. Paul, I guess we could find out your = special reason directly from you, or by getting in touch with one of two = Davids.  I'm not clear on the engineering, however, for starts the implication = here is that the benefit of the smaller pin resides in its smaller string = coils rather than the total surface area in contact with the block.  I'm not = clear as to why you would want additional stiffness in that area of the pin = unless you think the pins are being pulled forward due to insufficient surface = area (part of pin in the block itself) or due to excessive flexing.   = If you are talking about repinning with these, two problems come to = mind:<BR>1) Given the current discussion of pins already in contact with the plate, it = seems to me you would have a bit of a problem installing them, unless you were = to drive them in from the bottom of the block.  That would certainly be = something to write about.<BR>2) As a few on this topic have mentioned, and with = whom I agree,  a small degree of flex is a useful fine tuning = tool.  It would seem that, by stiffening the pin up to the coils, and then = reducing the size at the top, you would be directing the flex force to one, already = weakened area of the pin (string hole).  <BR><BR>Share your = thought, and how much did you pay for them (the pins, that is)?<BR><BR>David Skolnik<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>At 09:23 AM 05/14/2001 -0700, you = wrote:<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE class=cite cite type="cite"><FONT = size=4>Paul,</FONT><BR><FONT size=4>Many years ago, Piano Manufacturers actually used a tuning = pin like you describe. It is called a tapered tuning pin. They had many = advantages. One of which is, slight tapping of one that is considered loose, = fixed the problem. These pins were approx. #1 pin size at the bottom and = approx. 3/0 at the top. (that is not a typo: #1 tuning pin dia.=.265"). Hope = this clarifies for you.</FONT><BR><FONT size=4>Regards, = </FONT><BR><FONT size=4>Joe Garrett, R.P.T.</FONT><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE class=cite cite type="cite">----- Original Message = ----- <BR><B>From:</B> <A href="mailto:larudee@pacbell.net">larudee@pacbell.net</A> = <BR><B>To:</B> <A href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> = <BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, May 14, 2001 7:40 AM<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: Ditch the = tuning pin bushings<BR><BR>Del & David, <BR><BR>What about a tuning pin = that is oversize from just under the coils down and size 1/0 or 2/0 from = there up?  That would give added stiffness to the pin in the = portion that passes through the webbing without sacrificing the better torque = and smaller string coils that you get with standard size pins.  = It also allows reuse of the old pin block (if it is in good condition) = while still retaining the benefits of standard size pins.  (David Love = and David Ilvedson know that I have a special reason for asking this = question.) <BR><BR>Paul Larudee <BR>  <BR>  <BR><BR>David Skolnik = wrote: <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE class=cite cite type="cite"> At 11:22 PM = 05/13/2001 -0700, you wrote: <BR>  <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE class=cite cite type="cite">Another thought = though; someone mentioned to me the problem of restringing <BR>with <U>oversize</U> pins -- something I'd not really thought about = since we don't <BR>do this. <BR><BR>Del</BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Del- = <BR>Could you make clear what size pin qualifies as "oversized", assuming that = 2/0 was the original?  Thanks. <BR><BR>David Skolnik <BR>  = <BR>  = <BR> </BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY>= </HTML>