Tying Strings...The Best Tool(s)

[Dean May]

I have found that I can usually use wire a couple of sizes smaller than the
core on those giant singles for the new leader piece. It is considerably
easier to work with than wire the size of my big toe and it will hold the
tension.

Dean
Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
Terre Haute IN  47802

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On Behalf
Of Ron Nossaman
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 5:13 PM
To: Pianotech
Subject: RE: Tying Strings...The Best Tool(s)


>Since the vise grip has an edge, doesn't that make this tool slightly less
>effective than the roundnose plier?


No, it makes it considerably MORE effective. The wire isn't bent over the
edge of the jaw, like it is with round nose pliers. The end portion the jaw
is gripping is the lever handle you use to form the loop in free wire just
beyond the jaw. The beauty of the Vise-Grip method is that you can make
loops so tight there is very little slack to pull up to tighten the knot.
In fact, if you aren't paying attention, it's possible (even easy) to turn
a loop too tight to get the other wire through! Splicing a low bass string,
with no room to work, no extra wire to play with, and wire the diameter of
your big toe, this pretty quickly comes to be something you can appreciate.
You can turn a loop left in the new wire piece, slip it over the old wire
end, turn a loop right in the old wire, muscle the free end of the new wire
back through it, clip to length, wind on the pin, and have it pulled up to
pitch before the guy with the round nosed pliers even gets the bleeding
stopped.

It seems to me it was Laroy Edwards who originated this method, but I can't
say for sure. Whoever discovered it, I will be forever grateful.

Ron N

_______________________________________________
pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives