Squeezing hammers

[Richard Moody]

Squeezing is the first way I was taught.  As with any method, there is
usually someone to say it is wrong.  So I learned to voice with one needle
from a tech who said squeezing ruined hammers, and anyone voicing with more
than one needle didn't know what they were doing.  But everything written
about voicing I have read condemns his method.  I use the needle because it
is faster (in uprights I don't have to pull back the action) and in grands
if I think of using pliers I find I really should be filing first, and then
if the needle doesn't work OK I would reach for the pliers. But the needle
always works with just a little more time. The pliers should be ground in a
way that they don't give the hammer a "cup".    It may be pliers are more
efficient on hammers that have been hardened.   I am about to harden my
first set so I may have a chance to find out.      ---ric

>
> There have been a number of recommendations on voicing, but I didn't see
one
> on using the pliers method and squeezing the hammers. Wally Brooks showed
> this technique, and I've tried it a few times. Darrell Fandrich also
> demonstrated this at the Kansas city national. Its faster, very accurate
and
> less blood letting than needles. Any one else out there using it care to
> comment?
>
> Paul Chick
>
>