Pianotek Supply Company sells a hammer softener (8 oz. bottle) and a hammer hardener (acrylic pellets mixed with acetone). Unfortunately, they don't give the chemical composition for the softener or where they get it. For softening hard hammers, I have the best results with pure lanolin mixed with alcohol and sometimes distilled water. I like lanolin over fabric softeners because lanolin is natural to wool. In my experience, it works as well as any fabric softener, but is must be diluted first since it is a thick oil. I also use this "lanolin juice" on old hardened damper felts and it is amazing what it can do. (I prefer to replace old felts whenever possible) Lanolin can be bought in health food stores for about $5.00 for 4 fl ozs.). I have had great succes with their acrylic pellets except I dilute it much more then the directions say and use only a little at a time. I prefer it over lacquer because it dries very quickly. Jim Turner
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