Restringing

[John Ross]

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Hi Dave,
You have to practice a bit, trying different tensions. At first I used =
to break or weaken the strings as well.
But now I find the loop maker works well.
It really is a tool that practice makes perfect. (Well almost) :-)
Regards,
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Dave Bunch=20
  To: Pianotech=20
  Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 8:36 PM
  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 -----=20
    From: Alan=20
    To: 'Pianotech'=20
    Sent: Monday, June 23, 2003 11:28 AM
    Subject: RE: Restringing


    Yes .

    =20

    Not a complete treatise, but a few thoughts.

    =20

    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.

    =20

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

    =20

    1.       A pinblock jack

    2.       Coil maker

    3.       2=BD 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.)

    =20

    Helpful things to have .

    =20

    1.       A =BD" drive variable speed electric drill with "pin =
removing bit" (see archives). =BC" 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

    =20

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

    =20

    Examine the piano carefully before you start:=20

    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.

    =20

    Have fun.=20

    =20

    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

    =20

    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?

    =20

    Richard



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