<HTML>In a message dated 10/15/03 7:50:25 AM Central Dayligh= t Time, lancelafargue@bellsouth.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT= : 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Could the application of harden= er to the shoulder and allowing it to wick to the top help to minimize the u= nwanted high frequencies while allowing firm support to the shoulders giving= volume and power?  <BR= > I have found the use of acet= one/key top solution to increase this unwanted noise over lacquer. &nbs= p; Thanks!   Lance Lafargue<= FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY= ="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">, RPT </BLOCKQUOTE> Applying the lacquer to the sides hardens the sides, but leaves the crown so= ft(er). If you need to add more lacquer, it will only penetrate to where the= hardened lacquer is, thus more of it will be left in the crown area. that i= s why NY recommends you always add lacquer from the top down, to allow it to= flow more towards the middle of the hammer. As far as Acetone and plastic is concerned, as Del once said, you should not= add plastic to wool. However, I've done this on other than S&S hammers = with great success. Wim </HTML>