Hexagonal Shanks

[James Ellis]

Gentlemen:  Stephen, Ron, Richard, Joe, et al,

This silly argument got started when Joe said that a 3/32-inch hexagonal
shank is as strong as a 1/4-inch round shank, and I challenged it.  Now, it
seems this discussion has gone off the deep end.  Stephen (Dr. Birkett), I
still say we are talking about piano hammer shanks of various dimensions
made of maple and hornbeam woods, and not structural beams.  I do
understand that you and Ron want to use some well-known principles to
compare the stiffness of one shape to the other.

But please tell me, fellows, where are you finding those hexagonal shanks
you keep talking about?  All I have ever seen are either round, oval,
square, or octagonal.  I can't find any hexagonal ones.  I don't want to be
the only one in this group who is behind the times.

I still plan to make some measurements of actual hammer shanks, just as
they come from the box, and then I'll let you know what I find.

Sincerely, Jim Ellis