[pianotech] Tuning levers, was Tight Tuning Pins

[Porritt, David]

Barbara:

That has been my experience too.  I am a better tuner since I got my Fujan lever.  That stiffness does help.  When all levers were “flexey” we adapted and figured that was just the way it is.  Now with this choice, I can’t see ever going back.

dp


David M. Porritt, RPT
dporritt at smu.edu<mailto:dporritt at smu.edu>

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Barbara Richmond
Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 10:20 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning levers, was Tight Tuning Pins

Jeff,

Be tempted to try one.  I never thought I needed one, either.  Then I read some posts on this list by folks I respect and decided to check out what they were raving about.  The first thing I noticed was the lightness of lifting the tool  from pin to pin.  Yeah, that was cool.  And then I started noticing the incredible control I had over the tuning pin....  To be honest, I've not really thought much about springiness in tuning pins, but after using a stiff hammer, I found out how much springiness there is in tuning levers!

Based on my of experience (27 yrs) using whatever hammer technique works for each instrument--jerk, smooth push pull, jiggle, etc., I believe the only time weight <really> makes a difference in a tuning lever is with an impact-style tool (unless you just have a personal perference for heavy tools).  Even with jerk tuning--which is my default, since I was trained that way-- the light & stiff lever out-performs the old & heavy Hale, hands down.   I have more control than I ever imagined possible, with the added benefit of less fatigue from moving the tool from pin to pin.  Or maybe the fatigue is less because tuning is so much easier.  Whatever...I'm not going back.

Best wishes,

Barbara Richmond, RPT
near Peoria, IL

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Deutschle" <oaronshoulder at gmail.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Thursday, January 1, 2009 11:33:05 AM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tight Tuning Pins


John:

Thanks for the reply and suggestion. I use both styles, depending on the piano, also. If the stiffer hammers were available in heavier weights, I'd be tempted to try one.

On Thu, Jan 1, 2009 at 12:25 PM, John Formsma < formsma at gmail.com > wrote:

On Thu, Jan 1, 2009 at 11:05 AM, Jeff Deutschle < oaronshoulder at gmail.com > wrote:

I have never felt a need for a stiffer hammer. It seems that there is so much spring to the pin (otherwise how could the center of the stability "dip" be found) that any spring in the hammer would not be significant.

--
Regards,
Jeff Deutschle

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