Restringing

[Richard Strang]

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I learned how to make a pretty nice loop using  a pair of vise grips and a
screw driver. I make a loop and clamp it with the vise grips, lightly of
course, then stick the screw drive through the loop and twist 6 or 7 times.
Comes out just fine for some of the clunkers I work on.

Richard
  -----Original Message-----
  From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On
Behalf Of Dave Bunch
  Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 6:36 PM
  To: Pianotech
  Subject: Re: Restringing


  As far as loop makers go, I would warn someone new to this to avoid the
loop makers with the crank commonly seen in the catalogs. They are good for
nothing but breaking wire. With just a little practice, one can make a first
rate loop by hand using nothing more than a nail in a vise. This will work
fine for the 99% of pianos that have just one or two looped strings.

  Dave Bunch
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Alan
    To: 'Pianotech'
    Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 11:28 AM
    Subject: RE: Restringing


    Yes ...



    Not a complete treatise, but a few thoughts.



    First time, it will take you close to three 8-days.

    An experienced person can do it in about two days.

    I don't think it's fair for people to pay for my "learning curves," so I
would bill the job based on, say, 18 hours.

    Take the job. Learn and earn.



    Critical things to have, purchase, or make-your-own ...



    1.       A pinblock jack

    2.       Coil maker

    3.       2½ lb sledge hammer (for fine tuning and watch repair)

    4.       Real wire cutters, not pin nippers or light duty electrical
"dikes"

    5.       Heavy gloves or, better yet, glass-handler's gloves

    6.       Eye
protection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Many jobs
call for eye protection: Restringing SCREAMS for it. Wear industrial eye
protection, the kind that protects from the sides,
too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    7.       Band-Aids (Don't make your own.)



    Helpful things to have ...



    1.       A ½" drive variable speed electric drill with "pin removing
bit" (see archives). ¼" drill will not do, doesn't have enough torque,
especially at slower speeds and you don't want to spin the pins so fast that
you set the piano on fire or, more likely, damage the holes.

    2.       New set of pin collars (depending). New hitch pin punchings,
felts, braid, etc. (depending)

    3.       Tuning pin crank

    4.       Loop maker



    Look up in the archives or read Reblitz, etc., about measuring strings,
marking where string sizes change, etc.



    Examine the piano carefully before you start:

    1.       Make sure the legs are secure and nothing is wobbly. 999/1000
times this is no problem. The 1/1000th time, a disaster can ensue.

    2.       Pull the lid hinge pins with the lid closed. Unless it is a
very small piano, get the owner or someone to help you lift off the lid and
put it in a safe place.

    3.       Examine the pinblock and bridges very carefully. Discuss
problems with owner. NOW is the time to make any repairs.

    4.       Note any problems or anticipated problems. Write them down.
Have the owner look at them with you and sign the paper acknowledging the
problems. Again 1/1000, but you don't want any arguments later. I would take
a torque wrench and measure each pin-or at least a good sampling-as I made
the first tension reduction turns of the pin to make sure you spot any
"patterns" suggesting block damage or any pin holes that might need a little
epoxy, etc. Easier to do it now than to have to remove pins later.



    Have fun.



    Alan R. Barnard

    Salem, MO

    -----Original Message-----
    From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On
Behalf Of Richard Strang
    Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 10:14 AM
    To: pianotech (E-mail)
    Subject: Restringing



    Hello, all,

        Piano restringing has always been a little out of my line of work,
as I do not have a shop. However, I have a good customer that is requesting
me to restring his grand on site, and I'm debating on whether I should
accept the job or not. Any advice?



    Richard



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