[pianotech] Hammer tapering methods?

[Michael Magness]

On Thu, Jul 8, 2010 at 11:24 AM, Al Guecia/AlliedPianoCraft <
AlliedPianoCraft at hotmail.com> wrote:

>  When I started with the Spurlock hammer tapering jig, I used a small $50
> table saw and it worked great. You will never use a sander for tapering the
> hammers again.
>
> Al -
> High Point, NC
>
>  *From:* kurt baxter <fortefile at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, July 08, 2010 11:52 AM
> *To:* Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
> *Subject:* [pianotech] Hammer tapering methods?
>
> In the past I have tapered hammers on a belt sander, last time using a jig
> I fashioned for use on the WNG hammer tail arcing jig base.
>
> My problems with this method:
> Although it works great for tail-only tapering, it is awkward to taper the
> entire hammer. (and seems rather... wavy)
> Staining. I hate the look of the dark wood dust that gets ground into the
> felt, and won't go away even with compressed air.
>
> I like the idea of the Spurlock jig, except that I don't own a table saw. I
> also have concerns that a table saw in my price range would not be stable
> and precise enough.
> What has been your experience with the Spurlock jig? Does the quality of
> table saw matter?
>
> Anyone have a better method?
> Has anyone tried using a router or a jointer? (I have access to a workshop
> with both of those)
> I saw that someone on this list uses a safety planer. Anyone else have
> success with that method?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -kurt
>
>
>
>

I have to agree with Al, I use my contractor saw but a cheap saw w/ a
quality blade will work. The way to keep a blade running true on ANY saw is
to use a dampener, a thicker  piece of metal smaller in diameter than the
blade that is bolted to the arbor with the blade.
See http://www.forrestblades.com/online_catalog.htm
They're expensive but you can see what I mean, I found a blade for less
money w/ a dampener in a bigbox builder store.

Mike
-- 

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without
accepting it.

   Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)

Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com
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