I am glad to see the recent discussion on the use of pin tightening
solutions.  My piano tuner has recommended that I use this method on my
piano, but there looks to be a difference of opinions on the subject.

Peter Neilson was told the right way was to apply it weekly for six
months, I was told every day for a week or so until the bottle is used
up.  The bottle I have only says to apply slowly to the top of the tuning
pin, "as much as the wood will absorb."  It also says to "Tune immedi-
ately, or as soon as pitch will hold."

What do those of you that use pin tightener do for applying?  Does the
piano need to be tuned right away?  (This could be a problem for those of
us who can't tune our own pianos -- should we even attempt doing this?).

Tom Steuer suggests over-size pins, Charles Flaum suggests driving them
deeper or new pin block and Craig Brougher suggests pin tightener and
would not recommend driving deeper on grands.  (Would this also be true
for uprights?)

What would the costs be to replace a pin block on an upright piano,
and would it be worth trying pin tightener first before replacing the
pin block?  If driving the tuning pins deeper can only gain you two to
five years and can risk de-laminating the pin block, is it even worth
doing?  Is it possible that over sized pins could be a permanent fix
for loose pins?

Thanks to all for the info.

Brett Mohr¶
mmohr@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu