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Durable finish for tuning hammer handle

  • 1.  Durable finish for tuning hammer handle

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-23-2023 19:43

    Hi,

    I purchased a used Reyburn 700 series impact with the golf handle. I removed the golf handle and my brother who does some woodworking made me an ash handle (see below).  I'm going to coat with wood dye. What finish would you recommend over the wood dye that is durable enough for a tuning hammer?

     Thanks!



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    Tim Foster
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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  • 2.  RE: Durable finish for tuning hammer handle

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-23-2023 19:45
      |   view attached

    Photo



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    Tim Foster
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Durable finish for tuning hammer handle

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-23-2023 20:50

    I think I would use an penetrating oil finish like Watco or Dura Seal.



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    Steven Rosenthal RPT
    Honolulu HI
    (808) 521-7129
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Durable finish for tuning hammer handle

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-23-2023 23:58
    Hi Tim, 

    You might consider using an oil finish like walnut oil. It soaks in, and is easily renewed should it become scuffed or scratched, just apply more with steel wool. E.g.  Watco Danish oil. 
       Oops, I just saw Steven's post, and I second it. 

    Mark Schecter, RPT
     | |   | | |   | |   | | |   | |   | | | 




    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Durable finish for tuning hammer handle

    Posted 02-24-2023 00:58

    I've had some success lately using gun stock finish. Tru-oil by birch wood Casey. I've put it on some nice pieces of wood just over the natural wood or over their water based walnut stain. Let it sit for a week or two. I can't dig into it with my fingernail at all. I made a voicing block and finished it with the tru oil and it's pretty and pretty bulletproof. Apply with a rag, it's sandable like sand sealer, recoats easily. 



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    Stewart Skouson RPT
    St George UT
    (702) 290-1145
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Durable finish for tuning hammer handle

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-24-2023 07:39

    I like this idea, thank you!



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    Tim Foster
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Durable finish for tuning hammer handle

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-23-2023 21:02

    Whatever you use, be sure that the dye and the finish are compatible, preferably the same brand.  For example, polyester finishes cannot be used with oil based stains.  Dyes are used instead.  You might ask the people at Reyburn what they use.  I'm pretty sure it's epoxy.



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    Paul McCloud, RPT
    Accutone Piano Service
    www.AccutonePianoService.com
    pavadasa@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Durable finish for tuning hammer handle

    Member
    Posted 02-23-2023 23:22

    talk with charles faulk who makes tuning levers with all types of wood. many turners apply stains and sealers to the wood as it is rotating on the lathe. you will need a top coat that will not soften up or react to hand oils and sweat. ash is a great hardwood used to make baseball bats



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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Durable finish for tuning hammer handle

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-24-2023 01:38

    Do not apply a dark staining finishing oil!  The stain you get might not be the color you want.  There are oil and alcohol stains that will tint the wood to the appropriate color.  If you apply them too light you can reapply up to the exact color you want, then apply an oil or other finish.  Using only Watco (which is a good finish) might seal the wood too dark or too light.

    After you get the exact color and texture you can apply whatever finish you want.  I made a hammer recently and used an oil finish that gives my hammer a very smooth feel.  Shellac has a slight, pleasant, rubbery feel and dries fast and can be reapplied or used over other finishes or removed.  Polyester and epoxy finishes can be hard and smooth (I like my Charles Faulk hammer finish). I have not tried Spar varnish.



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    Blaine Hebert RPT
    Duarte CA
    (626) 795-5170
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Durable finish for tuning hammer handle

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-24-2023 02:19
    Hi Tim,

    We use an epoxy designed for finish use on most tools. That can be a real pain to work with without the right setup if you want a thick gloss coat. Especially on extremely porous woods like Ash.

    For a satin finish, I’ve used a very thin coat of epoxy. Apply and wipe off everything. Polyurethane is a great choice as well that I’ve used on many projects that will see heavy wear.

    My all time favorite open grain satin finish is Rubio Monocoat. It’s an accelerated oil finish we use for 200 Series CyberHammers and tools special ordered in satin. The CyberHammer and Rigid I’ve been tuning with for a couple years are in this finish. Despite the name, I like to use at least two coats. One coat sinks in and protects perfectly, but that second coat makes everything glow. It comes in colors if that’s your thing.

    Hope that helps!

    Nate Reyburn, RPT
    nate@reyburntools.com
    (616) 696-0500


    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Durable finish for tuning hammer handle

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-24-2023 10:28

    Nate,

    Great info, thank you. I'm very impressed by the quality of this tuning hammer, thank you for your work in this industry!



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    Tim Foster
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Durable finish for tuning hammer handle

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-28-2023 10:40
      |   view attached

    I took Stewart up on his recommendation and used gunstock finish. It's dyed black with Transtint mixed with Everclear. It has 4-5 coats of finish so far, I may do some more in the future. We'll see how it holds up. I like the look and feel so far.



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    Tim Foster
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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    Original Message