Pianotech

Back to discussions
Expand all | Collapse all

Stringing gloves

  • 1.  Stringing gloves

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-26-2022 06:38
    Who of us wears gloves when stringing? And specifically what kind? Cotton, leather, rubber...something else? I would need thin and close fitting preserve tactile sensitivity. 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor

    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Stringing gloves

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-26-2022 06:51
    I use masking tape wrapped around the three fingers and thumb of my left hand.  That is about the only contact I have with the wire while stringing, though I wash and powder my right hand to keep from staining the wire.  Never found a glove that would last, unless it was a thicker, cumbersome leather. 
    Regards, 



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Stringing gloves

    Posted 09-26-2022 08:04
      |   view attached
    I have  pair of gloves that I modified. Using piano fingering notation.​ Left glove: Leather thumb (cut off an old pair) on the thumb with the fingers cut off #'s 2 (to a quarter) & 3 (to a half). Right glove: #'s 1 & 2 (to a quarter) cut off.​ I'll include photo in case my description isn't clear.

    ------------------------------
    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Stringing gloves

    Posted 09-26-2022 08:16
    I also have an unaltered pair of cotton gardening gloves (similar construction) for lighter work.

    ------------------------------
    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Stringing gloves

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-26-2022 08:36
    Jon,

    Lol!! That is one creepy looking pair of gloves! Thanks for sharing. 😀 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor

    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Stringing gloves

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-26-2022 12:28
    I find golf gloves are the best. They protect your hands well but they're very flexible and allow you to handle whatever you need to effectively just buy the cheapest ones you can find

    ------------------------------
    David Love RPT
    www.davidlovepianos.com
    davidlovepianos@comcast.net
    415 407 8320
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Stringing gloves

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-26-2022 16:58
    I can't touch copper without tarnishing it, so gloves are a must for working with wound strings.

    Would you entertain a disposable option?  Cotton gloves such as "cosmetic gloves" or "makeup gloves" or  "inpsection gloves" are thin and you can work with them for a little while.  But don't get attached to 'em - they're not gonna last the whole piano.  The fingertips will wear out pretty fast, so either chuck'em when they get holes, or swap them to the opposite hands to get a few more strings on.  Available at Amazon.

    This option won't protect you from a jab from a sharp end of music wire, but they'll leave you with some dexterity and touch sensitivity.  They'll keep your skin chemistry off the copper too.

    Hope this helps.

    ------------------------------
    Christopher Storch RPT
    Belmont MA
    (617) 489-6436
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Stringing gloves

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-26-2022 21:47
    Chris,

    I have ordered inspection gloves from Amazon. I suspect this is what I really want. I did pick up some thin breathable rubber coated palms gloves which do work pretty well. Been using them today. Wed I should have the white ones.

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor

    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Stringing gloves

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-27-2022 08:52
    I don’t string anymore, Peter, but I used to wear women’s white dress gloves (my hands are small). They were close fitting, not very expensive, and they lasted a long time.

    Bob Anderson
    Tucson, AZ


    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Stringing gloves

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-27-2022 10:57
    One gets them at the uniform store policemen go to. Once I had to get black as they had sold out of white due to funerals.

    ------------------------------
    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Stringing gloves

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-27-2022 12:59
    On my left hand (holds the pin,) I don an archery glove that covers just the ends of the fingers, and attached a leather thumb from an old pair. I also wash and powder my hands before handling the wire.

    For single string replacement I don’t get so involved, just pay attention that my hands are clean and dry.

    Joe Wiencek
    NYC


    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Stringing gloves

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-28-2022 11:24
    I use golf gloves. They are supple and close-fitting. I learned with cotton gloves but found they did not have enough grip.

    ------------------------------
    Dave Conte

    University of Tennessee
    Knoxville TN
    (817) 307-5656
    Owner: Rocky Top Piano
    ------------------------------

    Original Message