hammers and wool

[antares]

On 26-nov-03, at 12:01, Michael Gamble wrote:

> Hello Richard
> You said: "Or should I ask... do we or do we not really know the 
> answer to
> these
> and other exciting questions at all ?"
> This sounds like a further need for expensive R&D! Hey ho! Who does R&D
> anyway - or do we do it by ear? (like tuning!)<G>
> Regards
> Michael G (UK)
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>
>

Hello Michael and list.
As I have mentioned before here, there are several ways to Rome :
One is 'an' American way. Many American techs like their hammers soft 
from the beginning so that they can slowly build up hardness by adding 
hammer dope. As you probably know hammer dope can be colodion, lacquer, 
or combinations of chemicals and plastic.
Then there is the European way : hammers have hardness and tension as 
they leave the hammer maker and the technician lessens the tension by 
needling.
What Richard questions here is : is it necessary to use the natural 
fibers in the wool (the hammer felt) or do we not use the elasticity of 
the felt but instead use the hardening  characteristics of hammer dope?

(Whaddaya Ricardo?)

(warning...flame suits on)

friendly greetings from
antares
the Netherlands

www.concertpianoservice.nl
www.grandpiano.nl