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Used Replacement Hammers

  • 1.  Used Replacement Hammers

    Posted 11-19-2021 21:40
    I am putting in 3-4 used hammers in an old tall upright piano that's missing some hammers. The used hammers I have on hand are slightly shorter. To compensate for that do I make let-off later? Do I decrease blow for those hammers by adding shims onto rest rail felt? Do I alter dip? A combination of all 3?



  • 2.  RE: Used Replacement Hammers

    Posted 11-19-2021 22:15
    Is there room to plug and rebore more  appropriately?  Can you modify the mouldings by gluing on more wood? This of course would be an "in the shop" approach.

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    Floyd Gadd
    Regina SK
    306-502-9103
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  • 3.  RE: Used Replacement Hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-19-2021 22:26
    Replacing hammers should be treated the same way as replacig a string. The replacement hammers should be the same length as the others on the piano, just like a replacement string needs to be the same thickness as the other strings. If the hole is not in the same position, that's easy to correct, but to put a shorter hammer on is asking for all sorts of problems, as you indicated.

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    Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
    St. Augustine, FL 32095
    Tnrwim@aol.com
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  • 4.  RE: Used Replacement Hammers

    Member
    Posted 11-20-2021 11:45
    Do the repair the right way and charge for it You want the height to match the neighbors so get new longer shanks and take the used heads off the old shanks clean out old shank wood and glue  you want to maintain the same angles and strike point there are many articles in the journal and in books like Reblitz

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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  • 5.  RE: Used Replacement Hammers

    Posted 11-20-2021 15:12
    I will look to see if I can plug the holes and drill new holes so that the replacement hammer can be at the same blow distance as the others in the piano.






  • 6.  RE: Used Replacement Hammers

    Posted 11-21-2021 21:42
    Okay, so how can I drill new holes further back in used hammer heads to match the length of the hammer heads in the piano. I have an old used drill and handheld jig, but I know I need a c-clamp or something for it but am not sure what kind. The drill bit seems a little loose when in the jig's tube made for the drill, hmmm. 






  • 7.  RE: Used Replacement Hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-21-2021 22:06
    It's called the bore distance. It's the distance from the end of the hammer to the center of the hole the shank goes in. Measure that distance on the hammer next to the the one you want to replace.  If the hole in the hammer you have is not in the exact distance, you will need to the plug that hole, and then drill the hole in the new distance.

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    Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
    St. Augustine, FL 32095
    Tnrwim@aol.com
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  • 8.  RE: Used Replacement Hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-21-2021 22:20
    Cobrun, I was going to suggest you find a friend with a drill press, but really, this is an essential tool. If you lack funds and or space you can still get a small bench drill press at a cost equal to one or two tunings. And a decent vice. The small ones don't take up too much space and are easily storable. This will pay for itself in no time and improve the quality of your repair work.

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    Steven Rosenthal
    Honolulu HI
    808-521-7129
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  • 9.  RE: Used Replacement Hammers

    Posted 11-22-2021 09:17
    Hi Cobrun ~

    It is possible to plug and re-drill an upright hammer ...
    if you want to give us a call, 800-326-2440, we can walk you through how to do it.

    Melanie Brooks
    Brooks LTD 800-326-2440

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    Melanie Brooks
    Brooks, Ltd. Piano Products LLC
    Uncasville CT
    860-848-6605
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  • 10.  RE: Used Replacement Hammers

    Posted 11-22-2021 10:28
    Here's a video that may be helpful.

    https://youtu.be/EaZUXuKzzoI

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    Richard Adkins
    Piano Technician and
    Curator of Instruments
    Coe College
    Cedar Rapids, IA
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  • 11.  RE: Used Replacement Hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-22-2021 17:12
    Cobrun,
    Perhaps the jig has two sleeves, and you are drilling for a smaller shank (7/32 or 3/16?)

    You might just clamp the neighboring butt and hammers together (with spacers so the butt flanges don’t interfere,) and line up the drill bit to match the shank of the neighbor on all axes. Could be tricky, but something I would try on a lesser piano and your jig isn’t conspiring with you.

    Joe Wiencek
    NYC