Impact hammers.

[Tom Cole]

Graeme Harvey wrote:
> 
> Good morning / afternoon list,
>  
> I'm curious about impact hammers. I've not used one and would like to
> know if they really are a useful addition to one's toolcase.
> Which brand?
> What specific jobs are they good for?
>  
> I assume they would help with tuning pianos with really tight
> pins...... am I correct?
>  
> Thanks
>  
> Graeme Harvey

Mitch Kiel (mitchkiel@olywa.net) has written more than once about the
Mehaffey impact hammer he uses. Either check the archives
(http://www.ptg.org/archive/pianotech.php/) or post him directly if you
don't find what you're looking for. I don't remember if he wrote his
posts on this or the cybertuner list.

I personally don't use one since I'm not experiencing the back problems
that have caused others to relearn their tuning hammer technique with
this very different tool. I used to have neck and back pain because I
was hunching my shoulder when I raised my arm to tune. A friend of mine,
a dancer and yoga teacher, showed me how to drop my shoulder (keep it
low) when in this position. It is also important to not get into a rigid
position but to work with a more fluid posture and take a break every so
often.

Taking a cue from the impact hammer, though, I use this nerfing
technique with the regular wrench. For me, the rhythm of short bursts is
less stressful than bracing for a smooth pull. 

Tom

-- 
Thomas A. Cole, RPT
Santa Cruz, CA
mailto:tcole@cruzio.com