[pianotech] First hammer job - considerations

[reggaepass at aol.com]

Hi Julia,



It is very satisfying to install a raw set of hammers from scratch.  If you are up for doing the measuring, calculating, sanding, drilling, gluing and cutting (all at least once, right?), then you should go for it.  I would also direct you, however, to a recent post by Ed Sutton in response to someone else's inquiry about how deep they should get in their first hammer job.  If memory serves, Ed emphasized the importance of being well-familiarized with regulation and understanding the whys and wherefores of hammer installation before processing a raw set on your own. The original post asked about tooling, and Ed offered the sage wisdom to tool up your mind first.




Also, in my experience, knuckles that have been in service long enough for their respective hammers to have worn out need replacing.  Makes a big difference, IMHO.  Since they are attached to the shank, and new shanks make for a more professional hammer replacement job, I highly recommend replacing shanks and flanges when replacing hammers.  




Keep us posted about what you decide and how it goes.  The adventure continues!




Alan Eder


-----Original Message-----
From: KeyKat88 at aol.com
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 5:12 am
Subject: Re: [pianotech] First hammer job - considerations













Greetings,


 


        But, isnt part of gaining the 
experience is to not have them pre-drilled? What if I measure wrong? I thin
k 
part of the fun is to drill them myself. I never thought about the flanges, good 
idea, maybe I will replace those. 


 


Julia


 




In a message dated 3/5/2009 11:44:55 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu writes:


Hi Julia, 

Practicing on your personal piano is an excellent thought.  To 
  save time and headaches, have your hammers pre-bored, tail shaped, etc. so 
  you're ready to glue and go!  Are you going to replace the shanks and 
  flanges, too? 

Paul 
  



 

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