[pianotech] simple string looping machine

[David Love]

I've done them by hand mostly when it's just a single string at the end of
one section.  But I have a MH model A to do right now and every third string
in the tenor is a wrapped string. I think this labor saving device will be
just the ticket.  I've got a Bosendorder to do next month and this will
definitely be the way to go.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Ron Nossaman
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 4:48 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] simple string looping machine

On 1/2/2013 5:59 PM, Ed Foote wrote:
> Hmm,
>      I have been bending the wire around a round-nose needle nose 
> plier for the 270 degree bend, and then, with a three inch tail, I 
> wind the coil by hand.  Does this tool require the string be cut to 
> near length before you can use it?

I can put the formed loop on the hitch and cut the string to exact length
before putting the winds on the tail, or just rough cut it with less
trouble. But yes, with this tool, you cut the string so you can put the wire
through the brass tubing to wind the tail. I've considered cutting a 1/2
turn spiral slot the length of the tool to not have to thread the wire in
from the end, but this hasn't come up enough through the years that I've
felt compelled to try it. I never have had a use for round needle nose
pliers in my kit, as this, a small vise grip, and my trusty chain nose
pliers do everything I need with music wire. I recently found a terrific
pair of round nose Channellocks at an estate sale cheap, but still don't
need them in my kit. It's just what I've gotten used to. The stem the loop
is formed around is a #7 wood screw with the head cut off, and the pin next
to it is a small wire nail if that's worth anything. I've found that to be a
good average to form the loop, which can be adjusted bigger or smaller by
how far around it is initially formed, then just pulling the tail square to
the wire.

Incidentally, stringing something with a lot of tied strings, this is way
easier on the fingers than wrapping the tails by hand.
Ron N