Craig Brougher wrote:

> Pin-Tite will not work well on any plank previously treated with a
> glycol or any other system which relies on water retention. You are
> wasting your money.  However, despite the PTG's fearful silence on
> Pin-Tite, you must realize that all of these products have been
> advertised in the PTG Journal, and that all of these products are still
> sold by the carload!  And guess who buys them?  PTG members!  That,
> friends, is the ultimate endorsement. It's just that they don't talk
> about it anymore, lest the stigma is also applied to them. One day,
> this will be corrected, but until physical principles are respected and
> trusted, the same taint will be applied to all who use it.  Ridiculous!

I have been following this discussion with considerable interest.  Craig
indeed makes a strong case for the use of "Pin-Tite".

I, too, find it strange that most piano technicians outright condemn the
practice of "doping" pin-blocks while at the same time, every piano parts
supply house markets the stuff.  Since most of these suppliers sell only
to piano technicians, it would seem that many PTG members are in fact
using pin tighteners.

Perhaps it is time that the PTG Journal produced an article on the use of
pin-tighteners.

Terry Macham

 [ In his well-regarded book, "Piano Servicing, Tuning, Rebuilding,"
 [ Art Reblitz prefaces his discussion on page 90 with the statement,
 [ "The use of liquid tuning pin tightener is controversial."  He then
 [ gives a good description of its use, which is in agreement with the
 [ method described earlier by Craig.  -- Robbie