Hey Jim...What tools do you use to tune pianos?

These are the tools I use most often while working on pianos.

From left to right and top to bottom...

Tool I use the most...the piano hammer and some bits I use with the hammer to tighten the harp bolts.

At the top, shaped like a triangle. Simple wedge to prop up the lid on an upright. Most people lean it up against the wall, but that can leave a mark on the paint.

Next down is a string hook. Used when replacing a string to get it in the right spot across the bridge, around the hitch pin and back up to the tuning pin.

Black cylinder is a coil setter. Used when restringing a piano to get the coil set tightly to the tuning pin.

Black and silver tool is a pin setter. Used to drive loose tuning pins into the pin block to tigthten them up.

Micrometer in case used to measure string gauge when replacing a string.

6 mutes up next...used to mute 1 or 2 of the strings on a key so I can individually tune every string.

String spacer and coil lifter. Used to space the 3 strings on the upper octaves. Also used to lift the coil when replaceing a string to make sure it stays tight on the pin.

Screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches used to remove parts of the piano while tuning and put it all back together.

Woodglue comes in handy on broken action parts.

CLP lubricant. Used where the strings cross the bridge to ensure they slide while tuning. Dries odorless and with no residue, reduces the chance of a string breaking especially on very old strings.

Teflon powder and Flitz polish used to clean key pins. Helps to free up sticky keys.

Dewalt light comes in handy in dark homes with no overhead light.

Pierce Piano Atlas lists piano serial numbers by manufacturer so I can tell the client when and where their piano was made.

Sectional rods are used to attach spinet push rods to action so it does not fall apart when you pull the action to work on it.

There are many other tools that are used for voicing and regulation. I also use a portable vacumn and some terry cloth rags to clean the piano before I tune it.

Contact us for all your piano tuning and repair needs in the St. Louis and Columbia, Missouri areas.