Broken Hitch Pin

[Michael Magness]

I tuned a Baldwin spinet yesterday, when I got into the top octave there was what I took to be a broken string however when I tugged on it both ends were still attached!

I got out my little flashlight & peered down below the bridge & the hitch pin wasn't there, looking beyond where it normally would be I could see it laying in the bottom of the piano where it fell after snapping off!

I am in my 47th year tuning, repairing, rebuilding, this is the first broken hitch pin I have ever seen/

IF I were to repair it, how would I go about it? It snapped off flush with the plate.

I'm more curious for future hitch pins breaking on quality pianos than I am this one!

Thanks, 

Mike .

  

--

  
I think we are a product of all our experiences.
Sanford I. Weill   

Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mi...@ifixpianos.com

[Joseph Garrett]

Mike

Most hitch pin plate holes are drilled all the way through. With a 5/32 nail set, just drive the old broken part out the back of the plate. If you use a piece of magnetic plastic strip, (as used on magnetic signs), to grab it on the backside, it'll save you fishing around for it. Yes, that stub will land somewhere to cause a buzzzzzz! DAMHIK.<G>

 Insert a new pin and bend it over a bit. That will firm it up in the hole. Back off the existing string and hitch it up and bring it back up to pitch. Make sure you seat the string firmly on the plate/pin junction. The pin riding up on the hitch pin is usually why the pins break.

Best,

Joe

Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I
gpianoworks.com

[Douglas Gregg]

Maybe a little epoxy in the pin hole when you put the new pin in just
so it remains where it should. Indeed a rare event. I've seen one and
the hole was a little big. Cause or effect, not sure.

Doug Gregg

[Terry Farrell]

Or just eliminate any potential troubles and drill a new hole and install a roll pin. Guaranteed snug fit and super easy to do. Even tip it back a bit if you prefer.

Hmmmmm - top octave in spinet - access troubles due to keyed & keys?

Consider also, if you install a new pin in a new hole, you have some leeway in where you place the hole. Whereas you do want to place it as close as practically possible to the original location, I wouldn’t be overly concerned even if you have to put is a foot away - I mean we ARE talking Baldwin spinet here.

And another consideration - is this hitch pin for a string that is shared by two notes? If so, I presume both notes still have two strings each. Run up and down the scale - do you even notice the minuscule drop in volume with those two notes? Perhaps just consider leaving it as is. No crime in that IMHO.

Terry Farrell