Tuning levers

[Ron Nossaman]

>Ron,
>
>I've done a lot of study on the different MOE's of titanium vs steel.
>It's true that titanium is slightly more elastic than steel; but, with a
>10" or 11" lever, I think the real question should be, So what? All
>metals deflect to some extent.  My own personal opinion is that this
>business of flexation is highly overrated. However I'd like to hear from
>other techs and hear if flexation has ever been a problem while tuning
>(other than with extension hammers).
>
>Charles Faulk


Hi Charles,
Everything I've found says titanium alloys are a little more than half the 
MOE of steel. Most of what I read from other tech indicates that they think 
titanium is stiffer than steel. T'aint so. Lower flex is, as far as I can 
tell, the nearly universally stated desirable attribute of a tuning lever 
shaft. Light weight seems to be next. Someone making a tuning lever from 
titanium using dimensions similar to those they would use for steel, and 
expecting the shaft to be stiffer are going to be disappointed. It will be 
lighter, but it won't be nearly as stiff. I'm not at all concerned how 
stiffness or weight is rated in the evaluation of tuning levers. I simply 
thought it would be a good idea for anyone intending to make their own 
lever (or anything else, for that matter) to learn enough about the 
intended construction material to make intelligent design choices when they 
are determining dimensions.

Ron N