Harpsichord hitch pin loops

[Blaine Vesely]

If you have a looping machine, No. 115 in the Schaff catalog, try this:
Start by adjusting the collett on the right hand side crank (looking at 
Schaff catalog illustration) for desired length of loop.  Thread 2 to 4 
inches of string into the diamond-shaped section at the left end (as seen 
in the catalog), and slightly tighten the string down by turning the 
L-shaped handle--too much and you will put a kink in the wire.  Loop the 
wire around the hook and pull tight away from hook.  Hold the wire down on 
the flat portion of the cast portion (next to the diamond-shaped piece) 
with your finger.  Begin turning.  The wire that you are holding down will 
want to turn with the cranking direction.  Just let it do it.  Cannot 
remember which way I turn, but for appearance's sake, match those already 
there.  I don't think it matters as far as strength.  You will begin to see 
a double helix forming.  Don't turn too tight as this might cause breakage 
when the string is tensioned.  I usually look for the first instance of the 
loops starting to space evenly and their angle approaching 30 degrees to a 
centerline between them.  You will know definitely when you have gone far 
enough if the helix coils themselves want to form a big curve/loop.  At 
this point, unscrew the L-shaped handle at the left, take string off.  Bend 
the wire that was threaded close to 90 degrees to the main wire.  I have 
used a nail in a vise or a pliers with teeth ground and felted to hold the 
loop.  Bend the "waste" end around the main wire with your fingers, and 
when you put 4 tight twists around, cut the waste off flush.  On some of 
the bigger brass wire, sometimes the threaded piece doesn't even have to be 
clamped down.  It will pull itself out of the diamond piece and begin 
forming the 4 tight coils when a sufficient helix is formed.  I have gotten 
lucky with a couple that way--I#52 red brass and #45 yellow brass.  All 
this assumes that you are using iron or brass.  Steel is a bit more 
difficult, but then again, steel would not be my choice on a historically 
replicated instrument.
Blaine Vesely
Kent, Ohio



 > >> List,
 > >> Does anyone have a website or instructions, tricks, etc. for
 > making
 > >hitch pin
 > >> loops for harpsichords? My loops are functional, but they don't
 > look
 > >uniform and
 > >> even. Thanks.
 > >>
 > >> (BTW, I know you can buy them premade, but I now have 4
 > harpsichords
 > >and it
 > >> gets expensive to buy prefabs.)
 > >>
 > >> Jim Busby
 > >> BYU