Very interesting discussion on tuning levers. I have to agree with Joe on the criteria for making the ideal hammer (if such a thing exists). I've been making tuning hammers for about four years now, sort of a hobby gone bezerk. I just made my eleventh hammer trying to incorporate a lot of the discussion from this list. It's 12 inches long with a shorter, and therefore lighter, handle made of cocobolo. The ball at the end is smaller and flattened out slightly. I just applied the last coat of tung oil yesterday so I'm anxious to try it out. However the point I would like to make is that there just might not be a hammer design to fit every piano; that' s why I keep two or three around in my kit. I do think comfort is important (that 2" ball is very uncomfortable in my hand). I also feel that leverage is an important factor and that depends a lot on one's strength and skill and , of course, the individual piano. Having made so many levers, I guess I have to say I've learned very little in the scheme of things except that I have a need to do a lot of switch-hitting. I don't think any lever can make up for not learning good technique. Just some thoughts. Regards, Charles Faulk RPT On Sat, 8 Apr 2000 08:08:34 -0800 "Joe & Penny Goss" <imatunr@primenet.com> writes: > Clyde, > I feel that it is very important to consider the size of the hand, > height > weight and strength of the person using the tool. A person who is > tall will > feel more comfortable with a longer shaft while a shorter shank > would be > better for those who chose to sit and tune. > The ball does not work for everyone. > My choice is a door knob shape but have made a T shape for one tech. > It all depends on the shape of the hand and what feels good. > The biggest reason that I like the wand style is that it weighs a > lot less > but has the same torque potential as the long extension hammer. (I > use a > long shaft) > Being over 6 feet tall, with many back ailments, I stand only to > tune tall > uprights. the ball shape is great when needing to set the pin with > the > hammer at one o'clock I bump the bottom of the ball sometimes to set > the > pin. > Joe Goss > Mother Goose Music > http://www.primenet.com/~imatunr/ > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > What one person finds a tremendous improvement, another may find a > step > > backward. > > > > > > ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
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