<HTML>In a message dated 9/29/02 8:47:10 PM !!!First Boot!!!, Maxpiano@aol.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Years ago I bought the Jaras hammer hanging jig and have used it occasionally.  No problem getting an even hammer (shoulder) line, but I've never acheived a consistent line in the hammer tails although the jig provides a straightedge to back the forward (toward player) edge of the tail against.  Is the Spurlock jig better in this regard?  Will arcing the tails afterward with the Spurlock tail arcing jig correct the discrepancies?  I have a set to replace next month, and any advice will help! Bill Maxim, RPT Maxim Piano Service Columbia, SC </BLOCKQUOTE> Bill Whether you use the Jarras, the Spurlock, a hand made jig, or even if you are hanging hammers with just a straight edge, to get a successful straight line for both the shoulders and the tails, make sure the holes are reamed to allow for adjusting the hammer back and forth. I don't bore my own hammers, so I found that the holes are not always big enough to allow for this adjustment. So I ream all my hammers, and then turn the hammers on a rat tail file to put the groves on the inside of the hole. This gives more surface for the glue to adhere to the shank. It all takes a little more time, but it is well worth it to get straight lines. Wim </HTML>