Impact Tuning Hammer

[DGPEAKE]

In a message dated 97-12-18 23:44:56 EST, you write:

<< 
 In a message dated 97-12-18 09:12:50 EST, you write:
 
 << I'll have to try this with the left handed.  I have to admit that I'm 
  a little concerned about the stress on the wrist and arm joints when I use
  this (Mahaffy [sp!] style) right handed.  
  
  Wonder where would be the best place to hold this style hammer to minimize
  any repetitive motion stress?? 
  
  Mark Cunningham
  Chattanooga, TN >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
 Before people start writing about "letting the weight do the work"  I've
found
 that you almost have to use a big push with the weight AND hand  to move the
 pins in new Baldwins/Young Changs'/never been tuned "new" Kimballs/insert
 favorite tight pinblock piano here....
 
 It seems to me to be a left handed tool (assuming the piano is flat!).  
 
 I rest my entire hand on top the tip sleeve and use a wrist flip but add
extra
 force by pushing with my hand if needed.  I've found that you can increase
 control of the force applied by extending your forefinger and pushing against
 the arm of the lever.  This works especially well on grands in the uppermost
 treble, where minimal movement is needed to change the pitch.  I've been at
 this 15 years and have no wrist/arm pain yet...knock on wood.  It will
 certainly save your shoulder regardless of which hand you use.
 
 Francis MeHaffey should be proud.  It's a great tool and very well made.
 
 Stay Tuned, 
 
 Mike Hoffman, RPT
 Marquette, MI
 
 
 Mike,

Left handed or right handed to me makes no difference.  I set the McCaffety
impact hammer at 12:00 or there abouts and place the hand at the tip between
the idex and middle finger.  Then I use wrist movement allowing the weight at
the top to force the movement of the pin.  Of course when you get close to the
bass or treble, you have to compensate the angle unless you want the damage
the case on Mrs. Jones piano.  

As for grands, I do not know of a good way to use the impact hammer.  I only
have done it once when my regular hammer somehow was separated from my tool
case and I drove off 40 miles away before I realized it was gone.  It was very
cumbersome but I managed to get through the tuning.  Fortunately the rest of
the day was uprights and if careful, you can fine tune w/the impact hammer.
The regular hammer is better for uprights because you can feel the movement of
the pin for setting.

Food for thought.

Dave Peake, RPT
Portland, OR