[pianotech] Impact Tuning Lever

[Farrell]

I have a Schaff impact lever also. I see in my Schaff Catalog they only 
offer the "Keyes" impact lever - that is not the one I have - I forget who 
the designer is.

Be that as it may, I think all old-world impact levers are much to large and 
heavy for tuning. I put a bunch of felt on my lever and wrapped the entire 
thing with rubber tape - made it much more comfy. However, I only use it for 
pitch raises on pianos with tight tuning pins.

IMHO, if one want to use/get an impact lever, there is only one source for 
impact levers for use in fine tuning - the Reyburn CyberHammer. 
http://www.reyburn.com/cyberhammer.html  I've tried his levers at 
conventions and they are simply amazing - very controlable. The difference 
between the cyberhammer and my clunky heavy impact lever is night-and-day.

Check it out.

Good luck.

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Floyd Gadd" <fg at floydgadd.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 12:13 AM
Subject: [pianotech] Impact Tuning Lever


> Some time ago I purchased the Schaff impact tuning lever, item #3170 on 
> page
> 33 of the most recent catalogue.  I built  up the handle near the head 
> using
> 3 layers of plastic tubing in order to achieve a more comfortable grip.  I
> have not used the lever a lot thus far.  When I do use it, I find a
> experience fatigue quite quickly in my hands and wrists.  I recognize that 
> I
> might simply be up against the normal physical learning curve, and that
> continued use may well build up the necessary co-ordination and muscle
> strength to achieve success with the tool.  Before I go too far down the
> path, however, I would be interested in understanding how the details of
> construction of this tool compare to the impact levers that are proving 
> most
> practical for long term use.
>
> Here are the details for this tool.
>
>   From the center of the movable shaft on which the tuning tip is mounted
> to the end
>       of the handle is 11 1/4 inches.
>   The weight that makes up the end of the handle is removable, and weighs
> 248 grams.
>        It is 7/8 inches in diameter, and is 3 3/8 inches long.
>   When the movable tip is held securely in a horizontal position, and the
> weighted end
>         of the handle is placed on a gram scale, the scale reads about 270
> grams.
>   The hammer has a swing of 45 degrees.
>
> The simplicity of design of this tool makes it easy to customize.  I could
> easily fabricate parts to lengthen or shorten the handle, and could easily
> fabricate end weights of different mass.
>
> My question for those of you who have found impact hammers to be tools 
> that
> serve you well:  How does the weights and dimensions of this tool compare 
> to
> those of the tools you find most servicable?
>
> Thanks for any help you can give me.
>
> Floyd Gadd
> Manitoba Chapter.
>
>
>