Schaff Tuning Levers

[Jeff Tanner]

Hi Elwood,

On Thursday, November 6, 2003, at 10:37 AM, Elwood Doss, Jr. wrote:

> Yes, the first one I purchased 14 years ago gave me similar problems.  
> It
> was one of their top-of-the-line hardwood handle ones.  It got 
> better--I
> kept it and still use it.  I found that I had the problem after I 
> tried to
> use a Hale tip on the extension handle.

With my #6 Schaff hammer, the ONLY way I could use the handle was by 
ordering an APSCO head and tip for it (which, at the time, also fit my 
Hale hammer).  Up until lately, at least.  I recently bought one of 
Schaff's new Hale style heads, and it works fine now.  But that's 
because the first 5 or 6 rows of threads on the shaft are completely 
gone.  Who wants to spend $75 for a precision tool that has to tear up 
before it works right?  I thought maybe after this head fit well on the 
shaft of my old #6 that they'd corrected the problem.  But I guess not.


>  I had a problem with a nylon
> extension lever--the head would not tighten up.  I sent it back, 
> received a
> refund, and ordered a hardwood handle one from Pianotek.   I use it 
> here at
> work all the time and have been pleased.  I think it was a Watanabe
> extension hammer.  Their Watanabe stationary hammers are only around 
> $80.  I
> think Schaff and Pianotek prices are comparable on these items.  Hope 
> this
> helps.
>
> Joy!
> Elwood

I may wind up doing that.  But I have to say I have issues with not 
buying American made products whenever I can - no offense intended to 
those of other nationalities, but American companies used to 
manufacture tools that work properly and there's no reason we can't 
still do that.  That, and Pianotek doesn't offer a Watanabe nylon 
handle extension lever, which would cost much less than the rosewood 
handle one.  The Schaff/APSCO nylon extension levers had been under $60 
for a long time (up until 10/15/03), and that's what my student thought 
he was paying until the invoice got here.  I don't know if my student 
really would go for, or could afford to go for, an "extension" hammer 
that doesn't extend that costs more than an extension hammer.  He is, 
after all, a college student, and we all remember what that's like.  
The other part of the issue is that the Watanabe heads and tips cost a 
good bit more than what the Schaff/APSCO heads and tips have always 
cost.  So, when you need a #1, #2, and #3 tip and a couple of extra 
heads of various sizes, the cost really is much higher.  They also only 
offer two heads, and only in 15 degree. (Isn't the Yamaha, suggested by 
Isaac, made by Watanabe?)

I'm really frustrated with what's gone on in the piano supply industry 
in the last few years.  I never had problems with either Tuner's Supply 
or APSCO, or Pianotek.  But it seems like there's a problem with every 
order from Schaff, at least where tools are concerned.

Jeff