impact hammer technique tips?

[Isaac OLEG SIMANOT]

Patrick,

I've been thinking about using this kind of hammer for some time, but I am
fortunate enough to not have to tune a lot of hard pinning verticals.

I wonder if you ever experiment bass string breakage while using the impact
hammer, tell you that because I had this kind of problem when I was using a
jerking method (some time ago)

Do you emphasis the use of the playing hand to settle the strings and pin
with this hammer (vs. traditional tuning lever) ?
It is amazing how much one can settle the pin while playing relatively
softly, but with a very lively projecting sound. My guess is that if the
unison is optimum, the pin is settled at the same time (that is how I feel
it anyway)

Isaac OLEG

Mucho grando expert in concerto tunings



> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]De la part
> de Patrick C Poulson
> Envoyé : samedi 16 février 2002 20:41
> À : pianotech@ptg.org
> Objet : Re: impact hammer technique tips?
>
>
> Tom: I think you'll find the impact hammer very useful once you
> get used to
> it. First of all, though, how to hold it: usually its best to
> hold it right
> down at the head of the hammer.  This lets the weight at the
> opposite end do
> the work for you.  You just use a flick of the wrist to move the
> hammer left
> or right. Occasionally I will move up the handle a little if the pin is
> really tight, or if there is no room when working close to the lid.  Use a
> relaxed hold on the hammer.  I keep the hammer in the 12 o'clock to 2
> o'clock position.  I also have learned to use my left hand in the bottom
> half of the piano, which takes the constant strain of my right arm and
> shoulder. Keep at it, and you'll never want to go back to the
> regular hammer
> on uprights. Patrick Poulson, RPT and 15 year impact hammer user.
>
>