<html> <body> I've been using a Fujan  with the 11 degree tip, 9" tube (13" hammer) for a couple of months now . I have the tip extension but rarely use it. I was using a Watanabe extension hammer before. I can't imagine going back to it now. I can confirm all the good things that have been said about it. As to clearance, I've had no problems with Steinways or Yamahas but sometimes, when next to a strut the tube doesn't quite clear on M&H and Baldwins. That's without the 5/8" extension. With the 5/8" extension I've had no problem on any piano, vertical or grand. When I first got it I noticed that often, without the extension, if there was a clearance problem, the additional amount needed for clearance was very small. I got a lock washer and used it as +/- 1/8" "extension". I splurged and got a stainless steel lock washer 'cause this is such a classy tool. Since then I've only had to use the 5/8" extension (then I remove the washer) on the occasional oddball piano with very high struts or uprights with a top lid which overhangs more than usual. Anyway, the solid connection with the pin is impressive. By the time I was finished tuning my first piano with it I was sold. I also got the longer tube, but I haven't had a need for it yet. In short, I love this tuning hammer and would not want to have to go back to what I was using before. Aaron PS: Sent another message about my M&H Model 50 a few days ago. Everyone was so busy with gender politics I think it slipped under the radar. Should I send it again? At 07:49 PM 1/23/2006, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Barbara, I actually called Steve Fujan to talk about that before I placed the order.  With the tip extension I have had no clearance problems so far.  The one problem I did have was getting onto the A0 tuning pin on a Yamaha C3 *with* the tip extension on.  I took it off and it cleared just fine, but I could not be as free with my hammer position in the upper treble without running into struts in some positions.  It did work though, just not as much clearance as with the extension.  The extension actually doesn't make it much longer than you would be with a standard length head and tip.  I got the 11 degree head on the Fujan. Jeff Stickney Barbara Richmond wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Jeff, I took a look.  When using the Fujan do you ever have a problem clearing struts, etc?  Do you skin your knuckles on the tuning pins?  :-)  I have a tip extension for clearance that I have to use occasionally, but don't care for it much.  Long ago I changed to a 15 degree head with my ol' Hale lever, to get more of the clearance I wanted. Barbara Richmond ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeff Stickney" <jpstickney@montanadsl.net> To: "College and University Technicians" <caut@ptg.org> Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2006 1:46 PM Subject: Re: [CAUT] Differences? <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> The point being that with the added leverage the amount of effort is much less with the longer hammer.  You can check it out at the website: <a href="http://www.fujanproducts.com/.%A0" eudora="autourl"> http://www.fujanproducts.com/. </a> It took me a little while to get used to it, and being short (5'4"), the length stretches me out a bit more than I would like.  I have requested a tube which would create a hammer 12" long so I can retain some leverage advantage but have less of a stretch. Jeff Stickney </blockquote> _______________________________________________ caut list info: <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives" eudora="autourl"> https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a> </blockquote>_______________________________________________ caut list info: <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives" eudora="autourl"> https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a></blockquote> <x-sigsep></x-sigsep> ------------------------------------------ Aaron Bousel abousel@comcast.net (413) 253-3544 (voice) (413) 253-3846 (voice & fax)</body> </html>