Turn One Tool into Two!
I love it when I find a great tool. I love it more when I discover that a tool I already own can do more than it was designed for. Such is the case with Scortino Coil Maker tool.
If you were to search for piano stringing tools on the web you'd find a wide assortment of coil makers, becket tools, pliers, pin drivers, and punches. But one tools you won't find is a Hitch Pin Knot tool. They don't exist. My good friend and mentor Paul Bruno made one from scratch and it's the only one I've seen... Until now.
Pictured above is the Scortino Coil Maker (and a pair of pliers, but ignore the pliers). It's one of the best and most compact coil making tools I've ever used. It's inexpensive.
And.. it also makes for a first rate Hitch Pin Knot tool.
Pictured to the right is what we want to end up with. Here's how we get there.
First we remove the large screw from the backend of the tool (photo A). On the top of the tool there's a black set screw normally used for coiling but we're going to use it for making the initial loop (photo B). Once you've got a nice loop, insert the blank end of the wire down through the hole so the loop sits at the top (photo C). With pliers grab the loop and turn, making sure the tail gets caught at the set screw (photo D). You'll need to push down as you turn to get a tight winding, however, if needed you can tighten the winding once the string is on by tapping the windings together with a brass rod or hammer shank. Make sure to get 5-7 windings and then trim the tail.
When you put on the string you'll need to account for the excess slack from the knot tightening as you put tension on it. Instead of cutting at "3 fingers length" try "2 fingers", and use the Scortino tool to make a coil with only 1 1/2 coils not 2 1/2. When you're done, enjoy your nice looking knot (photo E)... and your new Hitch Pin Knot making tool.
