Sciortino Insta*Coiler modifications

[Horace Greeley]

Susan,

Is there any way your machinist would make some kind of "production run" of
rings, etc.?
If not, would it be possible for them to provide drawings/specs so that the
work my be done by someone else?

Thanks,

Horace


>>I recently purchase a Sciortion Insta*Coiler and had problems with it
>>snapping
>>the piano wire off at the becket.
>>>Are there any other points which need "machined" or should I just do
>>>some more
>>filing on the inside of the "coil hook".
>
>>Rolland Miller RPT
>>Miller Piano Service
>>Berea, Ohio
>
>Dear Rolland & List,
>
>I'm afraid I can't help with your problem, because my Sciortino tool never
>broke any wire at the becket. Perhaps your particular one has a
>manufacturing defect?
>
>However, I did make extensive alterations to my Sciortino coiler. I had
>trouble keeping it in adjustment, and kept tightening the handle over and
>over (the handle is threaded on the end, and its pressure against the main
>barrel is all that keeps the tool in proper adjustment.)
>
>I went to a machinist, who made me a new (untempered) ring, that has four
>threaded holes for the handle (90=BA apart), and is held on with an Allen
>screw. A flat was ground in the barrel so the screw wouldn't slip. This way
>the handle doesn't hold the ring in place, and can be moved to different
>angles easily. Sometimes I don't even tighten the handle all the way, so it
>can be removed easily, when the plate gets in the way after making a coil.
>
>I still plan one more alteration: I intend to shorten the handle, and epoxy
>a short wooden covering on the end. That way it will collide with the plate
>a lot less frequently, and will finish a lot more coils before it needs
>shifting.
>
>I was amazed the first time I used the tool at how tight the turn into the
>becket was.  As I pulled the notes up the wire practically jumped into the
>hole. Some coils I squeezed with pliers after they had some tension on, and
>the pitch didn't even change! And the wear and tear on my thumb it saved in
>the low bass was worth the price of admission many times over.
>
>I hope some other people know what is wrong with your Sciortino
>Insta*Coiler. I'm sure you'll find it is worth working out.
>
>Susan Kline
>skline@proaxis.com
>P.O. Box 1651,
>Philomath, OR 97370
>(541) 929-3971




Horace Greeley			hgreeley@leland.stanford.edu

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