Tuning Lever Ball

[Farrell]

Just a thought - if you are interested in something a bit different. You may
want to take a quick look down at your local automotive supply store, or
high-performance speed shop, and look at their gear shifter knobs. Small cue
balls, 8 balls, wooden balls, x-rated objects (wouldn't that open an eye or
two at your next church tuning!), etc. The threads might even be of use!

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "John M. Formsma" <jformsma@dixie-net.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2001 10:16 PM
Subject: RE: Tuning Lever Ball


> Dave and Phil,
>
> I know it is a little late for this thread, but I have done just as Phil
> wrote. Got the ball from a craft store called "Hobby Lobby." El cheapo and
> el lighto, but it works el goodo. Seriously, I've noticed that it greatly
> reduces hand and forearm stress. Before I began using the ball, I was
> getting a little bit of numbness in my tuning hand. I scrutinized every
> aspect of my lever technique and found that gripping the lever (it's a
> relatively heavy Jahn from Pianotek) with my fingertips while moving to
the
> next pin added to the regular stress of gripping around such a small piece
> of wood for extended periods. Using the ball keeps the gripping muscles
more
> relaxed. The ball, change of sitting position, and a little acupressure
have
> eliminated the numbness.
>
> John Formsma
> Blue Mountain, MS
>
> P.S. I used very thin leather to shim the ball for a tight fit. I think
the
> leather is used for player piano repair.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf
> Of romanop@attglobal.net
> Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2001 12:38 PM
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Re: Tuning Lever Ball
>
>
> Hi Dave,
>
> I recently made one of my own. Go to a crafts store and buy a "dolls head"
> wood ball. It's flat on one side where it would fit onto the doll I
presume.
> Get a forstner bit of the proper size (measure the handle of your lever
> first!). I padded my machinist vise, inserted the ball, tightened it and
> drilled it out on the drill press. Works great. Total cost (w/ forstner
bit)
> was about $ 15.
>
> Phil Romano
> Myrtle Beach, SC
> (presently in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil!)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave Hall" <keyboard@cysource.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2001 9:36 PM
> Subject: Tuning Lever Ball
>
>
> > Hi list.
> >
> > At the last convention I attended, I seem to remember a display of tools
> > that contained a nice hardwood ball that will fit on the end on
> > extension-type tuning levers.  Does anyone know who makes these or where
I
> > can get more information about them?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Dave
> >
>
>