Linda Scott asked about drilling holes in the hammer core. Jon's reply of less than 0.1g per hole was right on. But since I recently bought a gram scale (at Stanwood's suggestion) I experimented with some spare heads. Don't try drilling 3 or 4 small holes in a walnut shank. The walnut splits and hammer springs apart. Birch you can drill but likely would not want to. Six, 1/8" holes reduced weight 0.3 grams. Using five grams gained for 1 gram hammer loss gives 1.5 grams lowered touch weight. Not worth the effort seems to me. I do not recall anyone suggestig drilling a series of holes in the keys aft the balance pin hole, although I can't imagine David not trying it. In an old upright key I drilled 7, 7/16" holes 1" apart. Gained 3 grams at the capstan. Any takers? The key, by the way, was old and dried out. A newer, more dense key might gain another gram are two. Tranis Gordy
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