Tuning Hammer and Technique for Novice

[SUSAN P SWEARINGEN]

Just for fun, I put my tuning kit on the scale and it weighed in at 21
pounds (and I've got a nylon case)!  Boy, I guess I have some downsizing to
do!

Corte Swearingen
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Ilvedson" <ilvey@sbcglobal.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2002 2:33 PM
Subject: Re: Tuning Hammer and Technique for Novice


> My goal in piano service is as light a kit as I can put together.  My
> joints don't need the aggravation.  The tricky part is what to leave
> out for general service.  My kit now is approximately 10 lbs.  I carry
> one hammer and others in the car.
>
> David I.
>
> On 17 Jun 2002 at 14:45, Ron Koval wrote:
>
> > 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
> >
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>