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tuning left handed with impact hammers

  • 1.  tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-02-2021 09:17
    Happy New Year to all! I have thoroughly enjoyed the input and technical support over the years from many of you. Since I have started tuning left handed on verticals with impact tuning hammers, I have noticed a dramatic decrease in string breakage. In 2020, for the first time in over 3 decades, I have tuned just under 1,000 pianos, since church and school tunings have decreased. Since the home piano has once again become popular, around 10 percent of these pianos were just purchased or gotten free off of social media sites. Of course, they have gone for 10 to 20 years without tunings. This being said, I have had very little string breakage with pitch raises, even with the cheaply made spinets of the 1970s. Have any of you noticed this benefit from impact hammers, especially using the left hand?

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    Greg Junker
    Owner
    Belleville IL
    618-971-9595
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  • 2.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-03-2021 10:38
    I don't have many strings break as it is, so it would take a lot of tunings with the new lever for me to verify any dramatic change. A few years back, I took a survey of my own work covering about 1200 pianos tuned - mostly in homes - and came up with an overall breakage rate of about 4%, the vast majority of which involved only one string. The rate did go up with pianos over 80 years old. Most breaks can be spliced in about 15 minutes. I've considered an impact lever in the past, but the leaning curve, the $$$ and the extra load on my wrist scared me off.

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    Harry Miller
    RPT
    Lawrence KS
    785-832-2443
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  • 3.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Posted 01-04-2021 10:34

    Being a card-carrying lefty, I have found the impact tuning hammer to be beneficial. It takes me a little bit longer, but the trade off is better stability. It also works nicely for soft tuning pins that have no 'click' in them. The caveat for me, is visibility of the tuning pins which is sometimes blocked by the wrist. Extra care is required in that regard. I sometimes use a headlamp, if room lighting is insufficient. 



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    Randy Prentice RPT
    Tucson AZ
    520-749-3788
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  • 4.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-04-2021 12:43
    Randy, proprioception will help find the next pin if you focus your attention on it before you leave the one you're on.

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    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
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  • 5.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-04-2021 13:49
    One of my basic objections to the impact hammer is the fact that (by design) the tip is not fixed. Therefore when you remove it from one TP you cannot count on it remaining in the same configuration so as to efficiently place it on the next pin. You must "search" for it. (Unless of course I am missing something).

    I often use my Fujan hammer in an impact sort of way. I also added a little weight to the end (wish I had done more).

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 6.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-04-2021 15:21
    Hi Peter:
    I asked Nate at a convention about putting a spring or something to make the tuning tip return to a home position. He said it would increase the cost, and he wasn't interested to implement the idea. I have the same objection as you. It's a great tool, but you have to be mindful as you use it. I like to have the lever orientation the same from pin to pin. I've also damaged the wooden handle by hitting it on the inside of the cabinet at either end.
    Even a rubber band would work, if you could fix it to the hammer tip. Gluing something to a polished piece of metal is iffy. I tried.
    Paul McCloud
    San Diego


    Peter Grey:
    One of my basic objections to the impact hammer is the fact that (by design) the tip is not fixed. Therefore when you remove it from one TP you cannot count on it remaining in the same configuration so as to efficiently place it on the next pin. You must "search" for it. (Unless of course I am missing something).

    I often use my Fujan hammer in an impact sort of way. I also added a little weight to the end (wish I had done more).

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com





  • 7.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-04-2021 18:21
    Paul,

    Yes, I played with the thing and I think I gave it a fair shot. However, since I have zero arm/hand/shoulder issues using a normal hammer I felt handicapped with the IH. I was "hoping" that I would become lightning fast with it...but for me it was like a ball and chain, AND it hurt my wrist, AND I would have to carry two hammers in my bag , etc etc...not for me.  I sold it.

    Really like my Fugan...however at convention I tried one of Nate's stiff hammers with the great big ball on the end. Loved it...but I had just recently bought my Fujan...sigh...


    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 8.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-04-2021 19:42
    It’s wonderful to have so many tuning options available. Being right handed, it took some patience to not only switch hands, but to learn the technique of the impact hammer. That being said, once I got the hang of it, it was one of the best “retooling “ of my 43 year career. It’s obviously not for everyone.

    Sent from my iPhone Greg




  • 9.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Posted 01-05-2021 07:27
    I have noticed these issues also. However, for me, the benefits far outweigh that.

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    John Formsma, RPT
    New Albany MS
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  • 10.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-05-2021 11:55
    Thanks, Larry, for using a word which I have never encountered before.  Won't probably help me in Scrabble, but the science behind it is fascinating, and very valuable to piano tuners. I'm convinced I've been fortunate to have avoided the frozen shoulders, carpel tunnel and tendonitis which has sidelined many in our field, simply by tuning in to the early discomfort "feedback" and making the necessary adjustments to alleviate emerging pain.

    While I'm piping in, I'll add that my experience requires me to take exception to the oft-repeated notion that left-handed upright tuning is somehow superior, just as type of tool used (impact, ball end, graphite, what-have-you).  We can each find our own truth regarding hammer technique, etc., but for the sake of any newbies who might be following this thread, I would push back on any notion that you can't properly settle a string/pin with your right hand.

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    Brian Mott
    Madison WI
    608-246-0506
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  • 11.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Posted 01-05-2021 15:36
    I believe that tuning right handed, with a standard tuning lever is definitely advantageous. Simply because one has more control pulling up the pitch, verses pushing. However, I submit that being left handed is better suited for impact levers. The primary clockwise rotation is more comfortable for a lefty than the back-handed rotation required for a right handed tuner. Of course, my point is moot for the ambidextrous tuners out there.

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    Randy Prentice
    Tucson AZ
    520-749-3788
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  • 12.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-05-2021 17:39
    Randy,

    I think you're right about lefties. 😁

    Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 13.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-03-2021 12:14
    Hello Greg,

    Yes,  I've anecdotally found the same thing using my impact hammer left-handed. The little tech think tank group I talk with every day has found similar results. It's pretty easy for me since I started out from the beginning tuning verticals left-handed and grands right-handed. Another item that I've found in conjunction with the impact hammer, as has been discussed at great length here on Pianotech, is lubricating the bearing points to help reduce stress on these old strings when breaking the starting friction. 

    Having had good success with this method, I've also modified my technique for grands when pitch raising. I may have to invest in on eof the Reyburn grand impact hammers...

    Happy New Year!

    AG

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    Allan Gilreath, RPT
    Registered Piano Technician & President
    Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
    Calhoun, GA
    706-602-7667
    allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
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  • 14.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Posted 01-03-2021 13:20
    >lubricating the bearing points

    Counter Bearing Lube (CBL) is the perfect bearing lubricant and CLP.   I use it all the time :-)


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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com


  • 15.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-03-2021 14:16
    That it does, Jon. As I believe you've mentioned before but worth reiterating in this thread - on the metal to metal and wire to cloth bearing points. Makes a huge difference in improving tuning stability and avoiding string breakage. 

    AG

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    Allan Gilreath, RPT
    Registered Piano Technician & President
    Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
    Calhoun, GA
    706-602-7667
    allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
    ------------------------------



  • 16.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-03-2021 16:08
    Great point on the lubricant helping out. I also purchased the Rayburn impact grand hammer, however, it is very hard to control. I bring it out 3-4 times a year, only on very high torque pins. It was not worth the investment for me.

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    Greg Junker
    Owner
    Belleville IL
    618-971-9595
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  • 17.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Posted 01-04-2021 07:13

    Another item that I've found in conjunction with the impact hammer, as has been discussed at great length here on Pianotech, is lubricating the bearing points to help reduce stress on these old strings when breaking the starting friction.

    Having had good success with this method, I've also modified my technique for grands when pitch raising. I may have to invest in on eof the Reyburn grand impact hammers...
    Allan Gilreath,  01-03-2021 12:14
    Ditto to the lubricant.

    Since you already have a Reyburn vertical impact lever, I'd recommend trying it on the grands, especially if it will be used mostly for pitch raises. I can make mine work just fine on a grand, and you actually have better clearance at the extremes of the scale. The vertical impact lever can be used everywhere, whereas the grand impact lever doesn't have enough room at either extreme. 

    It has been a few years since I used the grand impact, but my memory is that it has more control for fine work. However, the vertical can get the job done also.

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    John Formsma, RPT
    New Albany MS
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  • 18.  RE: tuning left handed with impact hammers

    Posted 01-03-2021 14:46
    Good for you Greg! 👍 I've had similar results by using the lubricant (don't spare the lubricant!) talked about and modifying my technique to a more jerking motion instead of a smooth motion. I use a Fujan carbon fiber hammer with extensions that make it 17" long. I use a rocking & jerking motion with most pianos (similar to the impact style) and have had very little string breakage. Recently I tuned a 125 year old upright from about 100+ cents flat to A440 with no strings breaking. I was actually surprised but happy! 

    What motivated me was dealing with those spinets you mentioned. There are a lot of them out there and I was looking for a way to "make my peace" with them. Another key for me is charging appropriately for the pitch raises and taking the time necessary to do the job. I can usually pitch raise a spinet that's 100-150 cents flat in under two hours.

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    "That Tuning Guy"
    Scott Kerns
    www.thattuningguy.com
    Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & PianoMeter user
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