Tuning Hammer and Technique for Novice

[Joe And Penny Goss]

Ron,
And no two people use a hammer the same.
in setting the pin, I often find myself bumping the pin down on different
parts of the shaft depending on the feel of the piano.
Joe Goss
imatunr@srvinet.com
www.mothergoosetools.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Koval" <drwoodwind@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2002 8:45 AM
Subject: Re: Tuning Hammer and Technique for Novice


> Well, I must admit to carrying 3(!) tuning levers in my primary kit.  And
> yes, everyone of them is modified from stock.  I've gone from long to
short,
> from heavy back to light.
>
> My most used lever is a shortened student lever.  Just pulled out of the
> handle, cut off and pushed back in.  The handle is covered with a very
thin
> wetsuit-like tube that I used to have on my bike handlebars.  It gives
just
> the right amount of cushion without the loss of "feel".
>
> Next, I have a Mahaffey impact lever, shortened (I had a bunch of
different
> size threaded rods made) with the portion between the weight and the head
> covered with clear vinyl tubing (7/8"?) for grip comfort.
>
> Last, I have a mini-extension lever fitted with a long tip for the treble
in
> grands, with a thin-wall tip in reserve.  This lever is also covered with
> the thin handlebar material.  I had hoped to make this one the primary
> lever, but the hex shaft doesn't fit the extension collar tight enough,
> introducing some wobble.
>
> As to technique, "whatever works" is my motto!  Learn as many different
> styles as possible, because the pianos you see will be unpredictable. From
> super-tight to barely holding, from smooth moving strings to popping
through
> the agraffes, try to be ready for them all..... it's part of the fun!
>
> Ron Koval
>
> Chicagoland
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
>