The leather that I find most acceptable is buckskin. But, it is a bit thinner. As you approach note 88 it should get thinner. Cow hide is not flexible enough, nor tough enough for this. The preferred glue is hot hide glue. The process is: cut the leather to proper width. Dry fit so that the length will go to just below the apex of the shoulder. Glue one side to the hammer. Let set. Then, stretch the second end and glue to the hammer using a small spring clamp. Let set. Once the glue is sufficiently set, trim as needed. I prefer to bevel the ends to flush with the lower part of the shoulder. Hope this helps. Oh, once the hammer has been played in, the tone is quite acceptable for your average "clunker". Of course, the client needs to be informed that this is merely a stop-gap until new hammers can be installed. Always tell the client. Best regards, Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon) Monday's Suck!
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