Hi,
I realize this is an older thread but search engines still direct those searching for information on Nate's incredible impact lever.
I have been using it for over two years. I've run into other technicians who told me they didn't like it and couldn't get the hang of using it. But I found I quickly adjusted to it and use it daily. I have contract work which entails quite a bit of bulk tuning of institutional uprights (for which the vertical
impact lever is designed. ). No doubt, this technology is saving my tuning shoulder. The usual tuning lever is quite unsuitably un-ergonomic for tuning uprights. Those tuning a lot of uprights repeatedly over a long period of time will appreciate this impact lever.
The only difference for me, is an issue raised elsewhere in an online discussion. Nate suggests in his video, as memory serves, holding your arm out more or less straight out from your body and manipulating the impact lever on the tuning pins, from that resulting axis. This does work, but my arm gets very tired tuning multiple uprights in that fashion.
I happen to tune a lot of uprights (Kawai and others) which allow me to rest my tuning elbow on a folding fallboard which affords a narrow "shelf" of sorts, which I cover with a small microfiber towel for comfort, for me to rest my tuning arm elbow upon, roughly about a foot below the tuning pins- rather than having me suspend my arm in midair. I've found I much prefer manipulating the tool from a resting supported position. It's far less tiresome and exhausting than holding my tuning arm in mid air. A lot of uprights don't provide that option but as luck would have it in my case, this is the case.
but the basic premise is solid. It's a sitting position, and unless the pins are really tight, it greatly eases the effort and wear and tear on me.
lastly, on a different but allied topic, for test blows I find after years and years of tuning, suspending my arm while doing test blows keeps unreleased tension going and pulls on a muscle deep in my upper back close to my left shoulder clavicle. The new pain there is low and dull so far, but I fear it getting chronic. I am now trying resting my test blow hand on the keyslip, using different fingers to do test blows to distribute wear and tear and nerve impact, and resting and doing back and arm stretches every so often. I may need some remedial massage etc but I noticed that keeping an ongoing tension like holding an arm up like
that repetitively, etc without relaxing it between its work motions can create problems.
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Sean McLaughlin
Lead Piano Technician
UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
Los Angeles CA
661-714-4188
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-29-2017 21:54
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Impact Levers
Hello all,
I'm looking into getting an impact lever, specifically a Reyburn CyberHammer. Does anyone have experience with the CyberHammer that you'd be willing to share?
What are the pros and cons?
How is the learning curve? Was it worth the effort for you?
Also, what is your recommendation to purchase?
Thanks,
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Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
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