Pianotech

  • 1.  Your Favorite Tuning Hammer

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-17-2017 15:30
    Hello Everyone,

    I'm doing a research project into tuning hammers, and would like your input. If you're interested, please respond with the following info:

    1. Brand and style of your favorite tuning hammer (i.e. Schaff extension lever),

    2. Why it is your favorite, and

    3. A picture.

    Thanks

    (P.S. If you've already responded to this on "In the Shop", please do not respond here. All results are being recorded.)

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    Benjamin Sanchez
    Piano Technician
    Lompoc CA
    805-315-8050
    benpianopro@comcast.net
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  • 2.  RE: Your Favorite Tuning Hammer

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-17-2017 15:53
    I saw this before, but I'm replying here. I purchased a Charles Faulk lever about 5 or 6 years ago, after using my trusty old Apsco extension lever for about 20 years. All the reasons to own it, like lightness, stiffness, etc. Beautiful blue stained wood. Can't go wrong with this one. My tunings are better too! Like PF Fliers, you can run faster and tune higher, lol.
    Even my customers notice how nice it looks. I sold my original to my partner and bought another last year. There's just something to be said for pride of ownership of a lever that someone took great care to make.
    One thing I don't like: the plating on the tip is peeling. Not Charle's Faulk. I think it's Watanabe.
    It's at least something you can buy if you go to a convention. See it, feel it, buy it. And meet your Maker! Charles will be there to answer your questions. He's got other nicely made items too, like key pounders.
    Paul McCloud
    San Diego




  • 3.  RE: Your Favorite Tuning Hammer

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-17-2017 17:57
    I also bought a Charles Faulk hammer a couple of years ago and i'm very happy with it. Over forty plus years I have had several standard type hammers break off right by the head, not always easy to fix. This hammer will probably never break as it is strongest at the head. I have had several others tuners test it and all were pleased with some of them threatening to steal it. Great hammer

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    Cyrus Welch
    Sacramento CA
    916-646-2033
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  • 4.  RE: Your Favorite Tuning Hammer

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-17-2017 23:50
    I have a Reyburn carbon-fiber-tubed with turned-wood-rounded-knob-end-handle. Light as a feather, stiff as an ice cube, strong as a crow bar!
    I love it!

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    Edward McMorrow
    Edmonds WA
    425-299-3431
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  • 5.  RE: Your Favorite Tuning Hammer

    Posted 04-25-2017 13:29
    Since carbon fiber tubing can be purchased. Couldn't a person make their own tuning hammer?  Anybody have a schematic?

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    ChrisChernobieff
    Chernobieff Piano and Harpsichord Mfg.
    Lenoir City TN
    865-986-7720
    chrisppff@gmail.com
    www.facebook.com/ChernobieffPianoandHarpsichordMFG
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  • 6.  RE: Your Favorite Tuning Hammer

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-25-2017 16:33
    !.) Charles Faulk
    2.) Beauty, weight, strength, rigidity
    3.) This handle of Amboyna burl is one of Charles' most beautiful turnings. So proud to own it.



    Doug Garman, RPT
    Doug Garman Piano Service
    3404 Archway Ct.
    Arlington, TX  76016
    817-578-4796 cell










  • 7.  RE: Your Favorite Tuning Hammer

    Posted 04-25-2017 19:26
    Certainly could make one. The problems would be: knowing which CF to buy, what head to use, and getting set up to assemble it. It could be a fun project. Some years ago I made a ball-end lever using a billiard cue, a Jahn head/tip, and a steel rod. I had to get someone to make the thread on the end since I have no metalworking equipment. It's a good lever and I use it often. I have a Fujan which is also great, and a Levitan C which works well for me on some pianos...mostly those with tight pins or jumpy pins.

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    John Formsma, RPT
    New Albany MS
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  • 8.  RE: Your Favorite Tuning Hammer

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-26-2017 15:21
    By the time you set it all up and figured out how to do it you would have spent 3-4 times as much (possibly much more) as you would have to simply buy the already well thought out and well made hammer. Of course you would have the satisfaction of having made it yourself...that would be nice, but not very cost effective.

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 9.  RE: Your Favorite Tuning Hammer

    Posted 04-26-2017 21:46

    You could right Peter, we'll see how it pans out.