[CAUT] hammer softener

[Alan McCoy]

Hi Greg,

I've used straight isopropyl with mixed results. Also used different mixes
of methanol and water. Had one Walter piano where the methanol/water
solution simply did not penetrate at all. Rolled off the hammer felt like
water off a duck. I've also used steam also with mixed results. If these
hammers have been previously needled, watch out. Water (liquid or hot vapor)
can induce in the technician full-scale, sweaty panic as the hammer opens
up. Not a swell feeling, I can tell you.  (Grin, only in hindsight)

These days I only use needles and lots and lots of elbow grease. I charge
for it. I just don't feel like I have control over the alcohol/water or
steam.

Alan


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


> From: Greg Granoff <gjg2 at humboldt.edu>
> Reply-To: "College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>" <caut at ptg.org>
> Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2006 10:36:16 -0800
> To: CAUT <caut at ptg.org>
> Subject: [CAUT] hammer softener
> 
> Well, after Alan's post about archive searches, I almost made my subject line
> "OK, Brainiacs...." but though better of it.
> My question:  anyone know what exactly is in the hammer softening liquid sold
> by Pianotek, for example?  Anyone have their own favorite homemade formula?
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> Greg
> 
> Gregory J. Granoff
> Staff Piano Technician
> HSU