[pianotech] Hammer Softener

[tnrwim at aol.com]

I'm wondering about the concept of steam voicing on lacquered hammers. Will that even work well since we're dealing with actual hard substances in the hammer--as opposed to hard felt? For instance, the treble hammers are crusty hard. Rubbing a fingernail along the sides of the hammers reveals this.

John

I had not thought about that. If the hammers have that much lacquer in them, then perhaps you should try to flush the stuff out of the hammers first, as some have suggested. I have heard that you can tip the stack on it's side, and apply acetone to the hammers, and then literally blowing out the lacquer with an air hose. 

Since the minister is aware of what you're trying to do, it might not be a bad idea to let him know that you're going to try different methods to soften the hammers, but that not all of them might work, and that in the end you will have to replace the hammers anyway. CYA

Wim





-----Original Message-----
From: John Formsma <formsma at gmail.com>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Mon, Dec 6, 2010 5:03 pm
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Hammer Softener


Thanks for all the replies so far.


Wim, I was using three needles the other day, but also tried my single "ring" needle tool that I got from Jurgen a few years ago. Love that thing, by the way.


I'm wondering about the concept of steam voicing on lacquered hammers. Will that even work well since we're dealing with actual hard substances in the hammer--as opposed to hard felt? For instance, the treble hammers are crusty hard. Rubbing a fingernail along the sides of the hammers reveals this.


I do carry the stuff for steam voicing, so I might give that a try if the other methods don't give good results.


--
JF


On Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 12:22 PM, <tnrwim at aol.com> wrote:

John
 
Are you using one needle or multiple needles in your voicing tool?  I've been using the single needle since going to the Steinway voicing seminar at the factory. A single needle can penetrate much deeper, although you do have to make more penetrations. And don't be afraid to put the needle in the strike point. 
 
The other option is steam voicing. There have been several posts on that over the years, so maybe you can look in the archives. I've had good results with that on a number of Asian pianos. (and one Mason & Hamlin). 
 
Wim


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