Reinforced Hammers

[Joe Garrett]

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The Thumper said: ""Reinforced" refers to the lacquer applied at the =
rear
of the shoulders. The staples are to help keep the
felt from peeling off the wood moulding in humid
climates, when the glue fails. ( As it did all over
Hawaii !!! Spring clamps and Titebond II to the
rescue. )"
Thumper, et al,
Not so!<G> A "true" reinforced hammer had the glue surface area imbedded =
with a combination of things. For Steinway, it was potash, (left-overs =
from their boiler), combined with olde hide glue and some other things =
unknown. The hammer felt area, that was to be glued was dipped in this =
"noxious" solution. The intent was to make the glue bond better. =
However, a side effect, that they hadn't counted on was a reinforcing of =
the shoulders of the hammers, that created a better, if not unique =
sound.=20
Today, I know of no hammer that incorporates this method. All =
"Reinforced" hammers, to my knowledge, are simply dipped in a Dye, to =
make them LOOK like they are reinforced!!! It does absolutely nothing =
for the tone or the glue integrity!!! The modern glues that are used, =
for making hammers, today, have far better adhering qualities, so the =
use of the "Staple" is not needed, even though most still use it. ( I =
suspect they use the staple, so that they can remove the hammers from =
the "press" before the glue is set...it's a production thingee.<G>) Many =
technicians remove those darned things, before hanging the hammers. =
Their intent is to lighten the hammer. (every little bit counts). IMO, =
the only situation that would warrant a staple is in extremely high =
humidity situations, that would attack the glue bond of the hammer.
Best Regards,
Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
Captain, Tool Police
Squares R I
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