Build a PinBlock Drill

Well in the process of learning what it takes to rebuild a piano I've found that Pintight doesn't work and CA glue is well (You Know) and if your going to spend the time and effort to rebuild then a new PinBlock is a must.

I'm doing piano rebuilds just for fun at this point so I built an (in the piano) PinBlock Drill.

All bearings and rods are bought on eBay or scavenge. the drill should be better but seems to work OK.

I butchered some Stanley laser lines for aligning the drill.

I also found that not vacuuming the sawdust helps with the laser alignment by filling the un-drilled holes.

So far all test drilling s seem to work out great.

I'm impressed!

Nice setup, can you regulate inclination? cooling the bits seem to be necessary, for new pinblock it is certainly.

It can easily be angled up to 7˚.

I will be adding some type of cooling

Great tool! Congratulations. I would live to have that here!

Nice ! where are the rods coming from ? they make me think of a robot done by a friend with an old bubble jet printer, he made use to make holes in the carboard strips for an organ (midi)


I was shown to use 2 pieces of adhesive ribbon to make 2 flaps around the drill, it send the dust away and produce a little air.

probably not enough to cool a bit in a Delignit block...

Hi Dan - If you would remind me how to post a photo, I'll show you a picture of how I direct a constant airstream at the bit that will keep it cool, no matter what type of block you're drilling - if your bit is good and sharp, at any rate. Chuck Behm

I have seen something similar to this (a few years ago) that stood on legs and stradled the keyboard length of the piano.

I think it may have been from mazaglia tools.

Otherwise very nice!

Nice job.

How stable are those long bars?

wow. I am impressed. You are quite the mechanic.!

Thanks guys

The two long rods that run across the piano left to right came off an exercise machine.
They're 1" thick and keep the drill quite stable when drilling.

Rather than having legs that reach to the floor it sits on the edge of the piano. This makes it easy to store when not in use.

Very nice job, indeed.
Thanks for posting the pictures and story, Dan.

I just added air cooling and found at 20 lbs it takes 15 seconds to cool the drill bit,