The Young Chang Blues

EHILBERT@midd.middlebury.edu EHILBERT@midd.middlebury.edu
Mon, 25 Mar 1996 15:21:45 -0500 (EST)


Tom, I concur you probably have a knuckle problem but suspect it has to do
with loose knuckle leather moving with the jack during letoff.  If you
find it is loose when squeezing the knuckle between your thumb and finger, it
will probably help to tighten the leather.  Best bet is to detach leather at
one end on the knuckle, and reglue the leather tightly with a small spring
clamp.  I modified a bunch of small 4" Pony Brand spring clamps for this purpose
Here is the easy modification.  These are Pony #3201 clams.  Slide off the
rubber tips and you'll see a flat portion at the end of the tip.  With a pair
of parallel grip pliers, bend the tips in to each other at an angle so they
now touch in an angle that will allow you to put the clamp onto the knuckle
leather wjhile pressing it in tightly to the core.  You will find this
tightening to be of value in many actions that have drag in the letoff.  We
routinely do this tightening on brand new knuckles also  since they are usually
loose right out of the box.  Yes, even on the "good quality" ones if they are
loose.  It can make a dramatic improvement in mushy feely actions at letoff
as well.  ,Try it and let me know if you like it!
Ed Hilbert, RPT



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