Lacquering hammers

[Andrew and Rebeca Anderson]

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Dick,
I guess this is a question of degree.  How much more do you want to 
achieve?  Filing with high grit, 300+, can get you a little 
more.  Treating with a little acetone tends to tighten things up and 
get you a little more.  Ironing, on the wool setting, will get you 
more but is also debated as to its benefits versus 
drawbacks.  Play-in get's you there too and can be achieved with 
Joe's jigsaw thumping method. I've been a little reticent (read 
scared) to try that one yet.  Mind you those new strings are going to 
need lots of tuning, so use a "bonker" and get them all played in a 
little.  Also take your voicing tool, turn it over and tamp those 
hammers, on a voicing tray of-course.
Wurzen front-rail punchings turned a brand-new chinese make I have 
for-sell into a singing instrument (with other issues now made 
obvious) much to my surprise.  Always worth an experiment. ;-)
Then there is the choice between ultra-blond shellac or lacquer.  The 
shellac will tend to break up a little with play-in so it might be 
easier to avoid overshooting long-term.  There may be a color 
drawback to shellac, tends to shades of yellow.  Than there's lacquer 
which usually should be significantly thinned .  You can, to some 
extent, wash this down with thinner if you over-achieve.  I'll pass 
of to the lacquer gurus for details and methodology.
For that plastic "ping" there's always that keytop solution.  Not 
that I recommend it. :-D

Andrew

At 03:12 PM 9/16/2005, you wrote:



>
>Just installed new hammers and strings in a rather old baby grand in 
>a church.  Obviously not even going to have best tone quality.  But 
>pianist is complained that the tone doesn't ring.  I think the 
>hammers are too soft.  Regulation, downbearing and strike point are 
>all correct.  Am thinking of using the lacquer technique on the 
>hammers.  Never done this.  Where on the hammer do you apply lacquer 
>and how much.  Any tips from "experienced lacquerers" would be 
>welcomed and thanks for taking the time.
>
>Dick Day
>Marshall MI


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