<HTML>In a message dated 5/23/2003 6:05:52 AM Pacific Standa= rd Time, tune4@earthlink.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT= : 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Thanks, Bob.  I was workin= g on a couple of uprights and followed your description of the jack to hamme= r butt angle.  Works out very nicely, and quicker than my "try this and= see" method. </BLOCKQUOTE> Paul, I think all "detective" methods are best used in combination. When trying to= deduce blow from jack angle, there is a little latitude in that there is a = range in which it will still work pretty well. Also, on well-used butts, the= re may be some cavitation just from compaction, which will mean either a lit= tle more lost motion, or shortening the blow slightly from its original desi= gn. Anyway, that's why I suggested combining it with the amount of dip requi= red for full function, before settling on a final blow distance. Bob</HTML>