[CAUT] RE : Tuning Hammer tip sizes, was Re: huge pitch raise question

[ed440 at mindspring.com]

I've used a Watanabe #2 tip for about 2 years, and really like it.
BUT...today I tuned a Seiler grand with #1 pins, and the Watanabe was resting on the coils.  Luckily I had some other tips in my backup kit.  A Schaff #2 did fine, but I think I'll order a Watanabe #1.

My new carbon fiber Fujan lever with 15 degree head arrived 2 weeks ago. I love it. Anything lighter would need to be tied down.

Ed Sutton


-----Original Message-----
>From: "Porritt, David" <dporritt at mail.smu.edu>
>Sent: Jan 12, 2007 11:44 AM
>To: College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>
>Subject: Re: [CAUT] RE :  Tuning Hammer tip sizes,	was    Re: huge  pitch raise question
>
>Tuning levers and tips are very personal preferences and depends on what
>you get used to.  I'm using a Fujan lever with #2 Watanabe tip and 5
>degrees.  Love it!  I tried a 15-degree tip for a (very) short time and
>really didn't like it at all.  For another hammer I have both 1" & 5"
>extensions for #1, #2 & #3 tips.  Some don't see how I can use the 5"
>extension but for tuning the top treble section I don't see how you can
>do it without!  Different stokes for different folks.
>
> 
>
>dp
>
> 
>
>David M. Porritt
>
>dporritt at smu.edu
>
>________________________________
>
>From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
>DCyr141833 at aol.com
>Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 9:13 AM
>To: caut at ptg.org
>Subject: Re: [CAUT] RE : Tuning Hammer tip sizes,was Re: huge pitch
>raise question
>
> 
>
>My preference is as Marcel and David Skolnik wrote - I also use a 15
>degree, extra short, #3, all from Schaff (Hale).  It works really well -
>for me.  I've been trying to find info for our students here at NBSS
>about choosing a tuning hammer tip.  It seems that the Hale tips are
>very variable - ie, a #3 is not necessarily the same as the next #3 -
>some #3's are larger, some are smaller, same with the #2's.  A large #2
>may actually be larger than a small #3.  Or at least it seats like it is
>larger.  Maybe more or less taper is the correct terminology.  My
>experience with Schaff is that if you order a tip and are not satisfied
>with the way it fits, you can exchange it - no problems - but it's a
>hassle.  It seems that the Watanabe tips that Pianotek sells are much
>more consistent from tip to tip and in size.  And they seem to fit most
>heads - at least the Schaff ones.  It does fit the Renner hammers that
>Keith Bowman makes, which I think are Schaff.  Keith has a nice article
>on the Renner website on tuning hammers - his preference is a #2 tip, 5
>degree.  I couldn't possibly tune with that - but again, to each his
>own.  But he really doesn't get into how it's bored and tapered, etc.  I
>would like to see material on that also.
>
>My advise to the students here at the school is to keep looking for tip
>until you find the one that fits right for you.  But it seems like
>consistency in manufacture could be a little bit better.
>
>Debbie Cyr
>
>North Bennet St. School
>