"Hammer Technique"

[Ken Burton]

    Tom,

    Actually, I am a beginner as far as the Smooth Pull technique is
concerned. However, I have found that moving the pin counter-clockwise
before beginning to pull smoothly in the clockwise direction is a must. It
is not only to break the rust, etc., but to get the pin and string ready for
the Smooth Pull. It has worked well for me on several occasions and some
Master Tuners in this area use it almost exclusively.
    My feeling about lubricants is that they don't help much. With the
"jerk" technique, any rust, etc. is broken through easily. I seldom break
strings.

    Ken Burton "Doctor Piano" Calgary Alberta
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Cole <tcole@cruzio.com>
To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 1998 9:54 PM
Subject: Re: "Hammer Technique"


>Kenneth W. Burton wrote:
>>
>>         Tom,
>>
>>         Please pardon me if I am trying to tell you something you already
>> know. I have found pianos that were virtually untunable using the "jerk"
>> method (my usual approach.) I found that I had to change to The Smooth
>> Pull technique and then the unisons began to settle right in.
>>
>
>Ken,
>
>My first reaction to using the smooth pull technique is that the pitch
>would be even less likely to follow the twisting of the tuning pin
>whereas the jerk technique would be more likely to break the excessive
>friction of the bearing points. I know this is just my theory and I
>haven't tried anything per your suggestion. I have opinions about Smooth
>Pull based on my early experiences with learning tuning (trying to get
>it perfect, closer, closer, really close, oooh! I went too far). That
>is, I don't have as much control with a continuous pull whereas a series
>of jerks gives me a chance to stop just at the right moment. (I also get
>a much better feel of the pin.)
>
>That said, I'm willing to try out what you're saying. Have you had any
>experience lubing the bearing points? I really think this has some good
>potential inasmuch as it enables you to tune normally and get stability.
>The only downside I can see would be in using lubricants near the tuning
>pins. So, no silicone or Slick 50.
>
>Tom
>--
>Thomas A. Cole RPT
>Santa Cruz, CA
>