spinet string repairs

[Dave Nereson]

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  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Charles Neuman=20
  To: pianotech@ptg.org=20
  Sent: Monday, May 26, 2003 5:26 PM
  Subject: spinet string repairs


  I'm curious about techniques and tools for replacing strings on =
spinets
  without removing the action.

  I recently discovered why people recommend removing the action. I =
could
  get the string on the hitch pin, but it kept popping off, and the =
whole
  thing took me about 45 minutes.

  If I had the right tools, I think I could do it more quickly. I =
noticed in
  one catalog there was a tool which was like a long straw, and it =
helped
  you get the string over the hitch pin. The next thing that is needed =
is a
  good way to clamp the string to the hitch pin and bridge pins while =
you're
  installing the ends of the string. I could picture a really long vice =
grip
  needle nose pliers with padded jaws. You could clamp the string in =
place
  somehow. Or a really thick rubber band that goes around the hitch pin =
and
  stretches over the brige pins and up to the tuning pins.  This might =
put
  enough pressure to keep the string on the bridge pins.

  Anybody have any techniques or tools to share, or is it really easier =
to
  just remove the whole action?

  Charles Neuman
  PTG Assoc, Long Island


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

      Depends on how difficult the action is to remove.  If it's an easy =
one, I go ahead and take it out (when the stickers come out with the =
action).  But if I have to pop 88 stickers off the backs of the keys, =
then put 'em back on, I'll try to just take the action bracket nuts off, =
pull the action back as far as it will go, but leave it sitting on its =
rests.  Then I can at least get my hands down in there to position the =
string.  A long screwdriver with a V-notch filed in it helps to hold the =
string against the bridge while I get it around the other bridge pin.  A =
hemostat usually works to clamp the loop to the hitch pin, or a =
Vise-grips, if I can get 'em in there. =20
      If it's an understrung string, I would probably take the action =
out.  Haven't tried the "straw", but I have a thin slat with two =
parallel tubes epoxied to it, which works pretty well.
      It's never easy.  Is doing anything on a spinet easier than taller =
models, besides moving it?
      --David Nereson, RPT

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