<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PersonName"/>  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> Yes! Makes perfect sense. In fact, I did that yesterday with a piece of dowel stock I bought. Haven’t tried it yet on a piano.  The dowel is a bit longer than the shank, which I found a bit short in certain sections (vertical treble).<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I’m also going to try a small brass rod to see how that works. Also have thought about using aluminum b/c it’s lighter than brass. But I’m predicting I’ll stick with wood.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Glad it’s working for you, Ron. I hereby designate you as the official resident expert in this. From now on, everyone direct their questions to Ron  ;-)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Seriously, I think this is something anyone could do if they just get to a piano and experiment a bit.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> John Formsma<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Ron Boyd Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 11:23 PM To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Pianotech List</st1:PersonName> Subject: RE: More on hearing protection<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> John,  I tried your method and it works great! I don’t think I will be doing hard test blows anymore. The only thing that I changed was to put a notch on the end of the hammer shank so it wouldn’t slip off the string. Make sense?<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Ron Boyd<o:p></o:p> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Milwaukee</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Wi</st1:State></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> -----Original Message----- From: John M. Formsma [mailto:<st1:PersonName w:st="on">john@formsmapiano.com</st1:PersonName>] Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 9:10 PM To: '<st1:PersonName w:st="on">Pianotech List</st1:PersonName>' Subject: RE: More on hearing protection<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Avery,<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> I don’t know if you’ve read the entire thread, but the whole point I’m trying to make is that it’s not necessary to pound to get stability. I only mentioned pounding after using the shank to deflect the string for those pounders who might not think it works. No, I don’t recommend pounding at all, but it’s an extreme example to verify the effectiveness of using the hammer shank. Once that is verified, we can be comfortable in a method that is better for the hammers, the piano, and for us!<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> I’ve known for years that stability can be achieved without pounding, using a firm blow only as a test blow. Now, I’m convinced I can even leave off the firm blows. (For the most part…naturally, I will continue to verify the method at least once per piano to make sure I ain’t heading way off into instability land! <g>)<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> John Formsma<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> <div style='margin-left:.5in'> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> </div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> </body> </html>