<HTML>In a message dated 1/26/2003 11:09:33 AM Pacific Standard Time, fssturm@unm.edu writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Subj: Re: New Bostons Date: 1/26/2003 11:09:33 AM Pacific Standard Time From: <A HREF="mailto:fssturm@unm.edu">fssturm@unm.edu</A> Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</A> To: <A HREF="mailto:tito@philbondi.com">tito@philbondi.com</A>, <A HREF="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</A> Sent from the Internet         To all Participants</BLOCKQUOTE>            Thanks for the helpful replys to my initial post about the awful sounds of the hardened hammers in Boston's and how to deal with it. I consider myself now armed and dangerous with your suggestions!!    Thanks---Dale Erwin <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">   I'll echo what Phil says, and refer to what Roger wrote, too: day to day, steam voicing as maintenance is a quick, well aimed shot to the very crown. Pulls the grooves back virtually level. Then iron. This is the very best way to extend the useful lives of hammers available. (The alternative is to file and sugarcoat, which will get you to need replacement real quick.)   For my part, I much prefer doing my shoulder work with needles, assuming I have hammers like Abels. I like the control and the results better. But when the hammers are rocks, and I'm facing hours of torture (Samicks and the like), steam is the way to go. Then maybe needles for finish. Regards, Fred Sturm Phil Bondi wrote: </BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>