The document discusses applying cyanoacrylate (CA) glue to loose tuning pins in a piano pinblock to improve pin tightness. CA glue swells and stiffens the wood fibers around the pins, improving torque. The treatment involves applying CA glue with an applicator around each pin. Results are seen within minutes as pins become much tighter. The treatment enhances tuning stability and makes the piano more enjoyable to play.
The keybed felts of a piano become thinner and harder over time from use. This causes unevenness in the height and depth of the keys, affecting the touch and appearance of the piano. Refelting the keybed replaces the worn felts and restores a uniform touch and level appearance to the keyboard. It is best done by a professional piano technician, who can remove the old felts, measure for replacements, and regulate the action for even key dip and height. Additional repairs may be recommended during this process to fully restore the piano's performance.
The key bushings in a piano are felt pads that keep the wooden keys moving smoothly on their pins, similar to how piston rings allow pistons to move effectively in an engine. As bushings wear out over time, keys become loose and wobbly, degrading the piano's feel and sound. Replacing worn bushings requires carefully measuring existing bushings and pins to select replacement felts of exactly the right thickness. A technician will then glue the new bushings in place using specialized tools and techniques to ensure a precise, snug fit that restores the piano's touch and tone.
The document discusses replacing keypins in a piano. Keypins help keep keys aligned and allow for smooth movement. When keypins become corroded, they cause unwanted resistance and wear down bushings. The summary discusses removing old keypins, measuring and installing new ones, and complementary repairs like replacing bushings and leveling keys. Replacing keypins can give keys a new feel and improve piano performance.
Technical Info 16 Repinning & RestringingDavid Boyce
Piano tuning pins can loosen over time as the pinblock dries out, causing notes to go out of tune quickly. Strings also deteriorate with age and humidity, leading to poor tone and frequent breaks. Repinning and restringing replaces both with new tuning pins and custom-made bass and treble strings to restore a piano's stable tuning and best sound. The process is labor-intensive but provides benefits like enhanced performance that outweigh the costs.
Brass rails and butt plates in upright pianos often break down over time, causing notes to stop working. Common problems are broken butt plates and cracks along the tongue that holds the hammer assembly. These issues can be repaired by replacing individual broken parts or the entire brass rail assembly. Small repairs can be done on-site, while larger jobs require removing the action to the workshop for thorough inspection and repair. Replacing worn parts restores the piano's functionality.
One characteristic of great-sounding pianos is a rich, vibrant bass produced by long, heavy bass strings under high tension. Over time, as pianos age, the bass strings deteriorate and the tone loses luster. Replacing aging bass strings with new, custom-made strings can restore the piano's bass tone. The process involves removing the old strings, sending them to be duplicated, and installing the new strings, which may take a day if measurements are available or longer if new measurements need to be taken. Related repairs like replacing the bass bridge and dampers should also be considered to maximize the results of new bass strings.
Dampers are essential components in a piano that stop the strings from vibrating after they are struck. Worn dampers do not stop the strings quickly enough, causing unwanted ringing and buzzing sounds. Replacing old dampers involves carefully removing each individual damper and installing new ones so they precisely match the strings. The repair is usually done with the action in the piano to ensure proper alignment as the glue dries. Additional repairs like restringing or regulating may be done at the same time since the action is already out of the piano.
The document provides information about replacing worn hammer heads on an upright piano. It explains that over time, the felt on hammer heads deteriorates as the strings cut into it, producing a harsh tone. Replacing hammer heads with new, custom-made ones can restore the piano's tone. The process involves carefully measuring and duplicating the angles and positioning of the original hammer heads to ensure a proper fit and tone. Installing new hammer heads correctly requires more than just gluing them on and involves precise preparation, placement, and adjustment of the hammers.
The keybed felts of a piano become thinner and harder over time from use. This causes unevenness in the height and depth of the keys, affecting the touch and appearance of the piano. Refelting the keybed replaces the worn felts and restores a uniform touch and level appearance to the keyboard. It is best done by a professional piano technician, who can remove the old felts, measure for replacements, and regulate the action for even key dip and height. Additional repairs may be recommended during this process to fully restore the piano's performance.
The key bushings in a piano are felt pads that keep the wooden keys moving smoothly on their pins, similar to how piston rings allow pistons to move effectively in an engine. As bushings wear out over time, keys become loose and wobbly, degrading the piano's feel and sound. Replacing worn bushings requires carefully measuring existing bushings and pins to select replacement felts of exactly the right thickness. A technician will then glue the new bushings in place using specialized tools and techniques to ensure a precise, snug fit that restores the piano's touch and tone.
The document discusses replacing keypins in a piano. Keypins help keep keys aligned and allow for smooth movement. When keypins become corroded, they cause unwanted resistance and wear down bushings. The summary discusses removing old keypins, measuring and installing new ones, and complementary repairs like replacing bushings and leveling keys. Replacing keypins can give keys a new feel and improve piano performance.
Technical Info 16 Repinning & RestringingDavid Boyce
Piano tuning pins can loosen over time as the pinblock dries out, causing notes to go out of tune quickly. Strings also deteriorate with age and humidity, leading to poor tone and frequent breaks. Repinning and restringing replaces both with new tuning pins and custom-made bass and treble strings to restore a piano's stable tuning and best sound. The process is labor-intensive but provides benefits like enhanced performance that outweigh the costs.
Brass rails and butt plates in upright pianos often break down over time, causing notes to stop working. Common problems are broken butt plates and cracks along the tongue that holds the hammer assembly. These issues can be repaired by replacing individual broken parts or the entire brass rail assembly. Small repairs can be done on-site, while larger jobs require removing the action to the workshop for thorough inspection and repair. Replacing worn parts restores the piano's functionality.
One characteristic of great-sounding pianos is a rich, vibrant bass produced by long, heavy bass strings under high tension. Over time, as pianos age, the bass strings deteriorate and the tone loses luster. Replacing aging bass strings with new, custom-made strings can restore the piano's bass tone. The process involves removing the old strings, sending them to be duplicated, and installing the new strings, which may take a day if measurements are available or longer if new measurements need to be taken. Related repairs like replacing the bass bridge and dampers should also be considered to maximize the results of new bass strings.
Dampers are essential components in a piano that stop the strings from vibrating after they are struck. Worn dampers do not stop the strings quickly enough, causing unwanted ringing and buzzing sounds. Replacing old dampers involves carefully removing each individual damper and installing new ones so they precisely match the strings. The repair is usually done with the action in the piano to ensure proper alignment as the glue dries. Additional repairs like restringing or regulating may be done at the same time since the action is already out of the piano.
The document provides information about replacing worn hammer heads on an upright piano. It explains that over time, the felt on hammer heads deteriorates as the strings cut into it, producing a harsh tone. Replacing hammer heads with new, custom-made ones can restore the piano's tone. The process involves carefully measuring and duplicating the angles and positioning of the original hammer heads to ensure a proper fit and tone. Installing new hammer heads correctly requires more than just gluing them on and involves precise preparation, placement, and adjustment of the hammers.
The document discusses damper replacement for an upright piano. [1] Dampers are similar to brakes in a car and stop the vibration of piano strings. [2] Worn dampers cause notes to ring longer than normal after being played. [3] Replacing old damper felts with new ones restores the piano's ability to quickly stop string vibration.
The document discusses options for addressing worn sharp keys on a piano. It may be best to replace sharp keys that are deeply worn, while refinishing is an option if the original ebony or pearwood keys are in good condition. Ebony is very durable and resistant to wear, so refinishing original ebony keys preserves the piano's history. The procedure for replacing keys removes the sharp from the keystick and glues a new sharp onto the stick. While plastic is most common, ebony replacement sharps provide an authentic look, though at a much higher cost.
This document provides information on routine maintenance for spinet pianos. It discusses the importance of regular tuning, repairs when parts wear out, and regulation to optimize performance. Common repairs include replacing plastic elbows when they become brittle, cleaning under the keys, polishing keytops, and fixing or replacing loose or worn hammerheads. Proper environment and humidity control helps preserve the piano. Regular maintenance by a technician is recommended to keep a spinet piano performing at its best.
The document provides information on routine maintenance for parlor grand pianos, including regular tuning, repairs of worn or broken parts, and regulation and voicing to ensure optimal performance. It emphasizes the importance of proper tuning, repairs, and environment to keep grand pianos performing well for generations. Regular maintenance from a professional piano technician is recommended to maintain a grand piano.
Newsletter 21 vintage upright piano maintenanceDavid Boyce
Routine maintenance is essential to keeping vintage upright pianos performing at their best for over a century. This includes annual or biannual tunings, as well as repairs to worn parts like hammers, ivories, and bridle straps. Regulation and voicing ensure all parts of the action are properly adjusted. Proper environment is also important, avoiding direct sunlight, heat sources, or wide humidity swings. With regular care, vintage upright pianos can continue to provide beautiful music for generations.
Technical Info 14 grand damper replacementDavid Boyce
The felt pads which stop the notes from sounding can change texture with age and become noisy and less effective in operation. Renewing these can really help an older grand piano.
Technical Info 15 wrestplank replacementDavid Boyce
The document discusses replacing a grand piano's pinblock. It explains that a pinblock must grip tuning pins tightly to maintain tuning, and deteriorated pinblocks can cause tuning instability. Replacing a pinblock is often best when laminations have separated, pins are loose, or the pinblock is mushy. The process requires removing the plate and precisely cutting, fitting, and drilling a new pinblock to the plate to ensure tuning stability. The level of precision makes replacing the pinblock best done by a technician rather than at home.
This document summarizes an interior design project for the renovation of a 115 sqm apartment in Rome, Italy. The project includes dividing the space into specific zones like a kitchen, living room, dining area, primary bedroom with bathroom, convertible study/secondary bedroom, secondary bathroom, closet, laundry room, and outdoor garden/terrace. Key design concepts, materials, furniture selections, and 3D renders of the renovation are presented.
The document discusses the benefits of exercise for mental health. Regular physical activity can help reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood and cognitive function. Exercise causes chemical changes in the brain that may help protect against mental illness and improve symptoms.
To clean under the keys of a piano, a technician must first carefully disassemble the piano to remove the keys. With the keys removed, the technician uses a vacuum and brush to remove dust, fur, skin flakes, and other debris that has accumulated underneath the keys, often over decades. Once the keybed is thoroughly cleaned and any damaged felt parts examined, the piano is reassembled so it can be enjoyed cleaner than it has been for years.
Tuning a piano involves adjusting the tension of each string by turning tuning pins to alter the pitch. Over 200 strings must be tuned to produce the 88 notes of the piano. While Pythagoras discovered mathematical ratios for musical intervals, these do not perfectly align when stacking intervals and result in frequencies that do not double as expected when moving up octaves. To remedy this, piano tuning employs equal temperament where the intervals are slightly altered to allow all the notes to fit within a consistent scale.
This document summarizes the process for replacing hammer butt return springs on an 1880s Bechstein upright piano. It describes removing the broken spring from the hammer butt by prying it out with tweezers. Then, a replacement spring of suitable size is selected and its long tail is fed through two holes in the hammer butt and pulled firmly through. Finally, the excess length of the tail is clipped off and the spring is flattened against the side of the hammer butt.
The document discusses damper replacement for an upright piano. [1] Dampers are similar to brakes in a car and stop the vibration of piano strings. [2] Worn dampers cause notes to ring longer than normal after being played. [3] Replacing old damper felts with new ones restores the piano's ability to quickly stop string vibration.
The document discusses options for addressing worn sharp keys on a piano. It may be best to replace sharp keys that are deeply worn, while refinishing is an option if the original ebony or pearwood keys are in good condition. Ebony is very durable and resistant to wear, so refinishing original ebony keys preserves the piano's history. The procedure for replacing keys removes the sharp from the keystick and glues a new sharp onto the stick. While plastic is most common, ebony replacement sharps provide an authentic look, though at a much higher cost.
This document provides information on routine maintenance for spinet pianos. It discusses the importance of regular tuning, repairs when parts wear out, and regulation to optimize performance. Common repairs include replacing plastic elbows when they become brittle, cleaning under the keys, polishing keytops, and fixing or replacing loose or worn hammerheads. Proper environment and humidity control helps preserve the piano. Regular maintenance by a technician is recommended to keep a spinet piano performing at its best.
The document provides information on routine maintenance for parlor grand pianos, including regular tuning, repairs of worn or broken parts, and regulation and voicing to ensure optimal performance. It emphasizes the importance of proper tuning, repairs, and environment to keep grand pianos performing well for generations. Regular maintenance from a professional piano technician is recommended to maintain a grand piano.
Newsletter 21 vintage upright piano maintenanceDavid Boyce
Routine maintenance is essential to keeping vintage upright pianos performing at their best for over a century. This includes annual or biannual tunings, as well as repairs to worn parts like hammers, ivories, and bridle straps. Regulation and voicing ensure all parts of the action are properly adjusted. Proper environment is also important, avoiding direct sunlight, heat sources, or wide humidity swings. With regular care, vintage upright pianos can continue to provide beautiful music for generations.
Technical Info 14 grand damper replacementDavid Boyce
The felt pads which stop the notes from sounding can change texture with age and become noisy and less effective in operation. Renewing these can really help an older grand piano.
Technical Info 15 wrestplank replacementDavid Boyce
The document discusses replacing a grand piano's pinblock. It explains that a pinblock must grip tuning pins tightly to maintain tuning, and deteriorated pinblocks can cause tuning instability. Replacing a pinblock is often best when laminations have separated, pins are loose, or the pinblock is mushy. The process requires removing the plate and precisely cutting, fitting, and drilling a new pinblock to the plate to ensure tuning stability. The level of precision makes replacing the pinblock best done by a technician rather than at home.
This document summarizes an interior design project for the renovation of a 115 sqm apartment in Rome, Italy. The project includes dividing the space into specific zones like a kitchen, living room, dining area, primary bedroom with bathroom, convertible study/secondary bedroom, secondary bathroom, closet, laundry room, and outdoor garden/terrace. Key design concepts, materials, furniture selections, and 3D renders of the renovation are presented.
The document discusses the benefits of exercise for mental health. Regular physical activity can help reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood and cognitive function. Exercise causes chemical changes in the brain that may help protect against mental illness and improve symptoms.
To clean under the keys of a piano, a technician must first carefully disassemble the piano to remove the keys. With the keys removed, the technician uses a vacuum and brush to remove dust, fur, skin flakes, and other debris that has accumulated underneath the keys, often over decades. Once the keybed is thoroughly cleaned and any damaged felt parts examined, the piano is reassembled so it can be enjoyed cleaner than it has been for years.
Tuning a piano involves adjusting the tension of each string by turning tuning pins to alter the pitch. Over 200 strings must be tuned to produce the 88 notes of the piano. While Pythagoras discovered mathematical ratios for musical intervals, these do not perfectly align when stacking intervals and result in frequencies that do not double as expected when moving up octaves. To remedy this, piano tuning employs equal temperament where the intervals are slightly altered to allow all the notes to fit within a consistent scale.
This document summarizes the process for replacing hammer butt return springs on an 1880s Bechstein upright piano. It describes removing the broken spring from the hammer butt by prying it out with tweezers. Then, a replacement spring of suitable size is selected and its long tail is fed through two holes in the hammer butt and pulled firmly through. Finally, the excess length of the tail is clipped off and the spring is flattened against the side of the hammer butt.
Explore Treydora's VR economy, where users can trade virtual assets, earn rewards, and build digital wealth within immersive game environments. Learn more!
Unveiling the Future of TV- Eternal IPTV Trends in 2024.pdfXtreame HDTV
As we step into 2024, the landscape of television continues to evolve rapidly, and Eternal IPTV is at the forefront of this transformation. With technological advancements and changing viewer preferences, IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is reshaping how we consume entertainment. Eternal IPTV, known for its diverse and high-quality streaming options, is setting new trends that will define the future of TV.
Robert Downey Jr. Net Worth: A Comprehensive Analysisgreendigital
Introduction
Robert Downey Jr., synonymous with Hollywood success. has had a career marked by dramatic ups and downs. Downey's journey is remarkable, from his early days as a promising young actor to his well-documented struggles with addiction and his triumphant comeback in Iron Man. Central to this narrative is his financial success. This article delves into Robert Downey Jr. net worth, exploring how he amassed his fortune. the various income streams contributing to his wealth, and his financial management strategies.
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Early Life and Career Beginnings
Childhood and Family Background
Robert Downey Jr. was born on April 4, 1965, in Manhattan, New York City. His father, Robert Downey Sr., was an influential filmmaker and actor. while his mother, Elsie Ann, was an actress. Growing up in a creative environment, Downey was exposed to the entertainment industry at a very young age, appearing in his father's films as early as age five.
Breakthrough in the 1980s
Downey's career began in earnest in the 1980s when he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. His early film roles in movies like Weird Science (1985) and Less Than Zero (1987) showcased his talent and potential. Despite his initial success, these early years were also marked by personal challenges. Particularly his struggles with substance abuse.
The Downfall and Recovery
Struggles with Addiction
The 1990s were a tumultuous period for Downey. Despite critical acclaim for roles in films such as "Chaplin" (1992), for which he received an Academy Award nomination, his career was derailed by legal troubles related to his drug addiction. Frequent arrests and stints in rehab created an image of an actor whose potential was being overshadowed by his demons.
Comeback and Redemption
The early 2000s marked the beginning of Downey's remarkable comeback. With the support of friends and family and a strong will to overcome his addictions. he gradually rebuilt his career. Key to this resurgence was his role in the TV series Ally McBeal, which not only earned him a Golden Globe but also proved that he still had the talent and appeal needed for Hollywood stardom.
The Marvel Era and Explosive Financial Growth
Casting as Iron Man
2008 was a pivotal year for Downey, as he was cast as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This role would redefine his career and boost Robert Downey Jr. net worth. Marvel Studios took a risk by casting him, but it paid off as "Iron Man" (2008) became a critical and commercial success.
Earnings from the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Downey's portrayal of Iron Man became iconic. Leading to roles in many MCU films, including the "Avengers" series. His compensation for these films varied significantly, starting with a modest (by Hollywood standards) $500,000 for the first "Iron Man" movie. But, his earnings skyrocketed as the MCU grew and his role expanded. For example, Downey reportedly earned $50 million for "The Avengers" (2012) a
Morgan Freeman is Jimi Hendrix: Unveiling the Intriguing Hypothesisgreendigital
In celebrity mysteries and urban legends. Few narratives capture the imagination as the hypothesis that Morgan Freeman is Jimi Hendrix. This fascinating theory posits that the iconic actor and the legendary guitarist are, in fact, the same person. While this might seem like a far-fetched notion at first glance. a deeper exploration reveals a rich tapestry of coincidences, speculative connections. and a surprising alignment of life events fueling this captivating hypothesis.
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Introduction to the Hypothesis: Morgan Freeman is Jimi Hendrix
The idea that Morgan Freeman is Jimi Hendrix stems from a mix of historical anomalies, physical resemblances. and a penchant for myth-making that surrounds celebrities. While Jimi Hendrix's official death in 1970 is well-documented. some theorists suggest that Hendrix did not die but instead reinvented himself as Morgan Freeman. a man who would become one of Hollywood's most revered actors. This article aims to delve into the various aspects of this hypothesis. examining its origins, the supporting arguments. and the cultural impact of such a theory.
The Genesis of the Theory
Early Life Parallels
The hypothesis that Morgan Freeman is Jimi Hendrix begins by comparing their early lives. Jimi Hendrix, born Johnny Allen Hendrix in Seattle, Washington, on November 27, 1942. and Morgan Freeman, born on June 1, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee, have lived very different lives. But, proponents of the theory suggest that the five-year age difference is negligible and point to Freeman's late start in his acting career as evidence of a life lived before under a different identity.
The Disappearance and Reappearance
Jimi Hendrix's death in 1970 at the age of 27 is a well-documented event. But, theorists argue that Hendrix's death staged. and he reemerged as Morgan Freeman. They highlight Freeman's rise to prominence in the early 1970s. coinciding with Hendrix's supposed death. Freeman's first significant acting role came in 1971 on the children's television show "The Electric Company," a mere year after Hendrix's passing.
Physical Resemblances
Facial Structure and Features
One of the most compelling arguments for the hypothesis that Morgan Freeman is Jimi Hendrix lies in the physical resemblance between the two men. Analyzing photographs, proponents point out similarities in facial structure. particularly the cheekbones and jawline. Both men have a distinctive gap between their front teeth. which is rare and often highlighted as a critical point of similarity.
Voice and Mannerisms
Supporters of the theory also draw attention to the similarities in their voices. Jimi Hendrix known for his smooth, distinctive speaking voice. which, according to some, resembles Morgan Freeman's iconic, deep, and soothing voice. Additionally, both men share certain mannerisms. such as their calm demeanor and eloquent speech patterns.
Artistic Parallels
Musical and Acting Talents
Jimi Hendrix was regarded as one of t
The cats, Sunny and Rishi, are brothers who live with their sister, Jessica, and their grandmother, Susie. They work as cleaners but wish to seek other kinds of employment that are better than their current jobs. New career adventures await Sunny and Rishi!
Enhance Your Viewing Experience with Gold IPTV- Tips and Tricks for 2024.pdfXtreame HDTV
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital entertainment, IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) has emerged as a popular alternative to traditional cable and satellite TV services. Offering unparalleled flexibility, a vast selection of channels, and affordability, IPTV services like Gold IPTV have revolutionized the way we consume television content. This comprehensive guide will delve into everything you need to know about Gold IPTV, its features, benefits, setup process, and how it can enhance your viewing experience.
1. The Owner's Guide to Piano Repair
Focus On: CA Treatment of a Loose Pinblock
Information provided courtesy of:
David Boyce, BA
Piano Technician
Tel: 01475 639915
Mobile: 07714 959806
David@piano.plus.com
www.piano.plus.com
2. For a piano to hold a stable tuning, it's essential that the tuning pins
are tight. While there are other factors (such as fluctuations in humidity) which
have an impact on the longevity of a tuning, a tuning pin which is loose to the
point where it slips and turns in its hole will cause the individual note involved to
sound horribly out of tune. Your piano is tending to go quickly out of tune in
part because of loose tuning pins. One treatment to consider is to apply CA
(cyanoacrylate) glue around each tuning pin where it meets the pinblock.
The following commonly asked questions have been answered to give you the
information you need in order to decide whether or not to have me treat the
pinblock of your piano with CA glue:
Are loose tuning pins caused by a defect in my piano or is it something that
just happens as a piano ages?
On an older piano the problem most likely is caused by a pinblock that has
gradually been losing moisture content over the years. This is a natural process
which is difficult to prevent entirely, although keeping the humidity level of your
home at a comfortable level during periods of dry weather will help prevent a
rapid worsening of the situation.
If your piano is new and has loose pins, it is a situation that should be
brought to the attention of the dealer, in that it could be a warrantee issue.
Page 2
3. Tuning Pins Pivot Points
Cast Iron Plate
Tuning Pin
Bushings
Laminated
Pinblock
Tuning Pins
The above cut-away model of a piano pinblock, plate and pins illustrates
the origin of the problem. The pinblock is made hardwood, in this case hard rock
maple. Its laminations run cross grain to each other to prevent splitting, and to
better hold the tuning pins. The pinblock is not ordinarily visible, but is hidden
beneath the cast iron plate, which is necessary to hold the tremendous tension on
the strings, measuring anywhere from 18 to 20+ tons for the piano as a whole..
The holes for the tuning pins are drilled into the pinblock with a drill bit
approximately 1/100 of an inch smaller than the pins. After the holes are drilled,
the pins are pounded in and are tight, usually having a torque of 120 inch pounds
or more. Tuning a piano which has been newly pinned is a lot of work! The no-
ticeable slant of the pins, by the way, is away from the pull of the strings, much in
the same way that tent stakes are driven with a slant away from a tent.
As the piano ages, the pinblock typically loosens up as the wood loses some
of its original moisture content. Pins in an older piano will almost always feel
quite a bit looser than on a new piano. When the torque on pins drops down below
20 or 30 inch pounds, slipping of the pins may start to be noticed. Your piano has
reached that point.
Page 3
4. Why does application of CA glue improve pin tightness?
The reason that CA improves the torque of the pins has less to do with the
gluing properties of the liquid, and more to do with the fact that the CA acts to
swell and stiffen the wood fibers around the pins. Capillary action pulls the liquid
down and around the pin where it quickly acts to improve the tightness felt by the
tuner when the hammer is placed on the tuning pin and the pin is turned.
The beauty of the CA treatment is in how quickly it acts. Earlier liquid pin
tighteners could take days or even weeks before improvement in pin torque was
noticeable. With CA, results are achieved within minutes.
How exactly will the treatment be accomplished?
With a vertical piano,
it is sometimes necessary to
lay the piano on its back to
prevent the CA treatment
from running down the cast
iron plate. If tilting the pi-
ano is called for, a piano
tilter will be used to safely
tip the piano backwards. To
make the job go more
quickly, it is helpful if any
furniture directly in front of
the piano be moved out of
the way.
Once the piano is readied, the CA will be applied with a small diameter ap-
plicator around each tuning pin. Ordinarily, it will take more than one pass to
reach the saturation point. Once the CA quits wicking in, the process is done.
Sometimes if the tuning pin bushing
is very tight, it may be necessary to drill a
tiny hole through each bushing to allow
the liquid to seep down to the pinblock.
The drill in the photo to the left measures a
mere .025", small enough to drill a hole in
the thin wooden bushing surrounding each
tuning pin. By drilling this hole, the liquid
can better penetrate to where it's needed.
Page 4
5. Besides having furniture moved out of the way, are there other preparations
or precautions to consider?
It is very helpful if there is a window that can be opened, or at least cracked
if the weather is cold, to provide for ventilation. The fumes from the CA glue can
be intense. Closing the doors to keep the odor confined to the room which houses
the piano might be a good idea. The chemical smell of the treatment will dissipate
after a few hours, but may be noticeable while sitting at the piano for some time
after I leave.
How much improvement will be made in my piano by this treatment?
Results will vary from piano to piano, but oftentimes the pins are much
more snug after application of CA.
The above photos show torque reading measurements done on the same
tuning pin before and after CA glue was administered. In the photo on the left, the
untreated pin measures just under 20 inch pounds of torque. After a single treat-
ment the pin measures a much better reading of 55 inch pounds of torque.
Are there other remedies for this problem?
Certainly. There are a number of methods of treating loose pins, which vary
widely in cost due to a huge difference in the amount of time required and the cost
of the materials involved. For both uprights and grands, the most complicated pro-
cedure involves the total replacement of the pins, strings and pinblock. The time
required to perform this procedure is measured in days or even weeks, so it's not a
job to be entered into without considering the value of the instrument. For many
pianos, the much less costly procedure of treating the pinblock with CA glue
makes sense, in that measureable improvement may be made at a reasonable cost.
Page 5
6. My piano has so many tuning pins! Would it save money if I just had you
only treat the pins that were the loosest?
Not really. To do
that, I would first need to go
through the piano with a
torque wrench to identify
the worst offenders, mark
them, and apply the CA
treatment to those pins
while avoiding the others. It
is much more efficient to
treat them all.
Besides that, if even
just a few pins are showing
symptoms of a pinblock that
is not holding well, more
will eventually follow. Thankfully, the problem can be remedied. The key to keep-
ing your piano in good condition is having expert maintenance done on a regular
schedule. With improved pin tightness, the tuning stability of your piano should
be enhanced, making it more of a pleasure to play between tunings.
"In business to bring your piano to its full potential."
Please advise me when you wish to have this repair professionally done.
David Boyce, BA
Piano Technician
Tel: 01475 639915
Mobile: 07714 959806
David@piano.plus.com
www.piano.plus.com
Page 6