No needling here: to steam, or not to steam?

[Joseph Garrett]

Dave said: "So it was a happy ending, and I was pleased to not have to
resort to chemical
warfare.  The only one not thrilled by the whole deal was my right arm,
which
was extremely tired from using my little generic voicing tool--a boy doing a
man's work, one might say.  Recommendations for a good voicing tool,
please??
 Renner's seems like a very sturdy and practical instrument"

Dave,
I've always liked my Yamaha voicing tool. I have 6 or 8 voicing tools. Some
are real antiques.<G> I have one with one long needle. Two with two needles.
One with longer needles than the other. Three tools with three needles of
various lengths. (One is the Yamaha tool) And one with 4 needles, medium
length. Finally, my Renner "chopstick", that is truly a work of art!<G> Also
a couple of voicing blocks for firm support is recommended. (for grand use)
A piece of 1/4" plywood, (rosewood veneered) for uprights, which is about 8"
wide and 6" deep. This supports the hammers, on uprights. AND, my personally
designed hammer shank support tool for surfacing Upright hammers. Add to
that, my modified Steinway hammer surfacing block. Two modified Sandpaper
files with 60 grit and 120 grit, each. Several backed sheets of sandpaper
strips, (3" wide), for "shoe shining". My Hammer iron w/bowl, (for water), 2
old hankerchiefs, (for steaming). A piece of fire brick to set the iron on,
so's it doesn't scorch the customers possessions! Various containers of
elixors for the "chemical warfare". All packaged in a recycled "picnic
basket", (aluminum), from the 50's. Oh, and eye droppers and extra sanding
strips, (pre-cut), for the paddles. Finally, an 8" x 16" piece of scrap
string cover felt, to lay my tools on. (this is what I wrap my voicing tools
in, so's they don't get all boogered up in transit.) That's my "Voicing
Kit".<g>
As for, possibly what you were dealing with, I'd suspect the "other guy"
used Key Top "dope", as it tends to stay on the surface. Lucky you. Damned
good thing he didn't use a 3/1 mix of Lacquer!
Best Regards,
Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon)
Captain, Tool Police
Squares Are I