<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1251"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1522" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <P> <DIV>Barbara Richmond said: " <DIV><FONT size=+0>OK folks,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>I've been amazed when I've read on this list that string leveling in =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>grands is so simple and takes so little time. I know I read it--it made =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>a big impression on me. Well, it takes me a long time and it's work! I =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>push from below, I pull from above. I guess my results are OK, but =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>sometimes I can't get them perfect and give up. My best tool for =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>pulling up is a dowel with a hole drilled through with heavy piano wire =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>threaded through and made into a hook. I read the archives about how =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>great the string hook Don Mannino uses, <that I have> and how well it =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>works for other people. If I could sing, I'd break out into a soulful =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>rendition of Gershwin's "But Not for Me." :-[ =20</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>I brace my arms on the piano, and pull with both hands. I'm always =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>thrilled when pushing from underneath and the tool slips and I smash my =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>thumb on the plate or pinblock or whatever.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>Is there a secret or am I just a weakling (and a short one at that)? Is =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>it more difficult to level the strings in a piano whose strings are 10 =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>or more years old? So, what are the best techniques or tools? Somehow =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>I've missed out on this information. It won't be the first time =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>something obvious has gotten past me. No need to get into how to tell =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>the things are level, that's no problem and there was just a thread =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>about that if I remember correctly (and I've got that tool, too).</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>Thanks,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>Barbara (I am frustrated over this and my thumb hurts) Richmond, RPT</FONT></DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Barbara,</DIV> <DIV>There are two tools that are quite easy to use, (don't need brute strength). I'll scan them and post, so's ya can see them. Both can be made by you, if'n you have a shop w/drill press, grinder, sander, etc.</DIV> <DIV>Regards,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)</DIV> <DIV>Captain, Tool Police</DIV> <DIV>Squares R I</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <P></P></BODY></HTML>