>Stéphane, > >>Does anyone have a good trick for acurately measuring string diameters >>while still in the piano ? >>I normally use a micrometer on broken strings, but it is impossible to >>put it between the strings that are still in place. I found that caliper >>measurements are not accurate enough for proper use. > >What you require is a multi-anvil micrometer. I have been using one for >many years to measure the strings in the piano. It is particularly handy >when you are dealing with a broken bass string, since you can measure the >cover and core diameters of the adjacent strings in the piano without >letting the tension off. > >19eea925.jpg >The above image, of the Mitutoyo 117-101, 0-25 mm metric micrometer (they >also make an Imperial measurement version), was taken from the Mitutoyo >website at; > >http://www.mitutoyo.com/cat2000a/l-39.htm > >These micrometers come with a round and flat anvil. The round anvil is >used for measuring tube wall thickness. They are more expensive than a >standard micrometer, but you'll have it for the rest of your working life. >My multi-anvil is a Starrett, but the Mutitoyo is better made. > >Best, >Ron O. I've found that the micrometer that works best for me for measuring strings at tension in the piano is a disc type micrometer. Here's an example: http://www.penntoolco.com/catalog/products/2359.cfm Mine is actually a Starrett with a conventional (non-digital) readout, but the picture on their website wasn't too good, so I've given the one above as an example. Many manufacturers make micrometers of this type. Phil F Phillip Ford Piano Service & Restoration 1777 Yosemite Ave - 130 San Francisco, CA 94124
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