Stringing materials estimates (tech)

[John Ross]

Hi Ron,
Since I buy it by the pound, for a restring,
I weigh it before and after. Then I take my normal mark-up. Going by length is
too tedious.
It is a small part of the restringing price so it doesn't matter if you are
off a bit.
Regards,
John M. Ross

Ron Torrella wrote:

> Let me preface by asking for replies to be copied directly to me since I
> read the list in digest and searching for replies can be tricky.
>
> I wonder if some of you with lots and lots of restringing experience would
> care to explain how, when you're writing up a job estimate, you figure out
> how much string you're going to use in a given wire size. Do you base your
> guess in terms of how many 1# coils you'd use or do you figure by the
> foot, anticipating that 1# and 5# coils have a certain amount of footage
> per reel? Then, when you're figuring materials costs, do you figure a
> specific charge per unison or do you just estimate the footage used and
> charge by the foot?
>
> I've often wondered if one of those foot-counters (like they have in the
> hardware store for measuring out small tubing) would be a worthwhile
> investment to keep tabs on how much wire is actually used.
>
> Owen Jorgensen used to joke that he thought it wouldn't be too
> off-the-wall to charge for the mileage you put on your shoes when
> stringing pianos. On a 9' it can really add up! :-)
>
> Thanks for the replies!
>
> Ron Torrella, RPT
> Piano Technician
> University of Michigan             "Dese are de conditions dat prevail."
> School of Music                                         --Jimmy Durante
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