Key Whakker

[Stan Kroeker]

Hi Terry,

Along with earplugs to protect my ears and RCT to preserve my sanity,
the 'Key Whakker' is an important part of my 'self-preservation'
program.  I'm sure mine is no more functional than yours, but I prefer
to have elegant-looking tools in my kit.  No bass hammers or broomsticks here!

Mine is similar to Doug's.  Short length of brass rod (1/2" x 4"). 
However instead of hammer felt, I attached a rubber cane-tip (drill hole
and attach with self-tapping screw) to the end of the rod.  I then
bought one of those 1 1/2" wooden balls, drilled a 1/2" hole and epoxied
the rod into it.  The rod was then covered with a foam rubber
(neoprene?) sleeve, glued in place with PVC-E keytop adhesive.  The ball
allows you to grip the device comfortably when you stand to tune tall uprights.

By the way, Ken, the whole point of making it fairly heavy is to
minimize muscle strain.  You simply allow the weight of the tool to drop
on the keys from a few inches to provide consistant blows.  I suspect
more keys have been broken with the 'karate-chop' test-blow technique
that many feel is necessary for stability.

Regards,

Stan Kroeker
Registered Piano Technician