Breaking strings - Was: tough work

[Paul McCloud]

Phil:	
	The secret to tying knots in strings is consistency.  Here's
what I do:
 
1. MAKING THE LOOPS: Line up your strings in the same direction, ie.,
parallel, and the ends (that you are tying) are together.  Wind the
loops clockwise on both wires, (or counter-clockwise.  It really doesn't
matter which way you make the loops).  BUT- make the loops so the ends
of the wire will lie on opposing sides of the loops. They will be mirror
images of each other. In other words, (you still with me?), with both
strings parallel and the wire ends pointing the same direction, the
loops will be wound in opposite directions.  Ok, so far? Make the loops
about 1/4" or less. The ends of the wire will stick out about 3/4".
You'll trim them later.

By the way, don't forget your agraffes!  Unless you are making the knot
in the speaking length, knots don't often fit through the agraffe holes.
(Don't ask...)

2. BENDING THE LOOPS: Take your pliers and grasp the loop. Hold the wire
with your other hand and bend the loop against the wire where it crosses
itself.  Not too much, but just so it tends to close the loop.  Next, do
the other string the same way, (but it will lean the opposite way).

3. JOINING THE LOOPS: Hold the two strings end to end.  The loops will
be slightly leaning to one side or the other.  Orient the loops so one
angles up, the other angles down.  Slide one loop over the other, and
push it past the end of the wire (it will tend to snag- keep going until
it clears). 

4. THREADING THE FREE END:  Push the free end of the replacement wire
through the old string loop.  It will be obvious which way to thread the
wire, since the loop is canted to one side. The knot is correct when and
if  the two wire ends point in opposite directions, and the knot is
symmetrical.  
 
5. TIGHTEN THE LOOPS: Use your pliers to close the loops as tightly as
you can around the wire, so the knot will be tighter.  Trim your ends to
about 1/4" or less.  

6. INSTALL THE STRING: Be sure to cut the tail of the string shorter
than usual since the knot will shrink while the string gets longer as
you tune it. 
    

Without pictures, it's as clear as mud, but I hope it helps anyway.
FWIW.
	
	Paul McCloud
	San Diego