[CAUT] Tuning Hammers

[Alan McCoy]

So Don,

The date of your email is Feb 5, 2006.

How are things in the future? Got any stock tips? Other warnings or advice
from beyond time? How'd you get there anyway?

Alan


-- Alan McCoy, RPT
Eastern Washington University
amccoy@mail.ewu.edu
509-359-4627


> From: Don McKechnie <dmckech@ithaca.edu>
> Reply-To: "College and University Technicians <caut@ptg.org>" <caut@ptg.org>
> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2006 12:57:31 -0500
> To: <caut@ptg.org>
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Tuning Hammers
> 
> Richard,
> 
> Some years ago I purchased an adjustable lever, wood handle and ball at
> the end from Ford Supply. I used that for quite a while and found that
> is was slightly more comfortable tuning uprights than grands. Along came
> the Bowman levers. I purchased the "Style E" from Renner. The oval shape
> of the ball suits my hand well for grand and uprights. I use the 5 deg.
> head and a 10 when I need to clear struts, etc. Works for me but I would
> like to try some of the other levers mentioned in this thread. Budget
> priorities though. As Kent mentioned, "chosen my poison."
> 
> Don
> 
> 
> 
> Subject:
> Re: [CAUT] Tuning Hammers
> From:
> "rwest1@unl.edu" <rwest1@unl.edu>
> Date:
> Wed, 25 Jan 2006 07:22:38 -0600
> 
> To:
> College and University Technicians <caut@ptg.org>
> 
> 
> I've had a question about the "ball type" tuning levers.  I bought  one
> last year because the buzz was that these hammers are  "ergonomically
> correct." i.e., align everything to make less stress  on the joints,
> etc.  Are there studies proving this?  I've returned  to my old tuning
> hammer because I found the ball type was causing  pain and cramping in
> the palm of my hand.  I think I determined that  the way I hold that
> lever causes me to use my fingers more often to  pull, and this was
> stressing my joints.  With the old fashioned  lever, I put the end of
> the lever in the knuckle area of my hand and  hardly use my fingers to
> pull the hammer.    Also the ball type lever  I bought was slightly
> shorter which require more effort to pull hence  more stress.   I'm
> interested in the fujan lever, but I'm concerned  about the ball.  Am I
> using improperly?
> 
> Richard West
> University of Nebraska