tempering, was pins and needles

[A440A@AOL.COM]

I wrote:
<<> The needles are much harder and more brittle, they are designed for 
> piercing, 
> and  I know they break if the temper isn't drawn before tightening the 
> screws 
> in the voicing tool.    
 
Wim asks: 
What does "temper isn't drawn" mean?>>

   To "draw the temper" is to heat a metal up and allow it to cool slowly.  
This softens the metal.  "To temper" is to heat it to a specific temp. and 
then cool it rapidly.  If you try to bend a needle, it will usually break 
before bending.  Once drawn, they will bend like spagetti.  
  The tempered steel in needles is what gives them their strength, and if you 
want to keep from breaking them in the voicing tools,  you can heat the 
eye-end of the needle until it glows red for about 1/4 of its length, let it 
cool, and then cut to size.  
   By heating a the end, ( a Bic lighter does this in about five seconds),  I 
find that the needles are softened about a third to half of their length, 
allowing the screws to secure them without cracking them, and the business 
end of the needle to remain tempered and resistant to bending. 
Hope this helps, 
Ed Foote