Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum Tuning Hammer Advice???

This is my first posting... Thanks for letting me join!!!

I live in the UK and I'm learning a bit about tuning and wanted to buy a professional Tuning Hammer. I was thinking about buying the Hale Pro Extension Piano Tuning Hammer. Any thoughts?

Also, I was thinking about ordering it with the #1, #2 tips, medium & extra long heads, and a tip wrench. Will that be enough or should I order the #3 and #4 tips as well. I would like to tune for money at some time in the future and would prefer to buy everything that I need now. Thanks for the help. I've been reading through the past posts on a number of subjects and they have been a great help. You guys are the best!

Londonderrry-

I'd get the #3 and #4 tips. If you plan to tune for a living someday, you'll run across pianos with these oversized pins (usually they are replacements for #2s that have become loose).

An extension hammer with medium and long heads and a wrench should be fine. The longer heads are necessary in many instances. Does it have a wood handle? Wood's much nicer to use, IMO.

I've seen hammers with knobby ends that supposedly are more ergonomic. I'm sure someone here can give you a link to a site that sells them, so you can compare.

Fletcher Newman is a decent hammer and you can get one just a bit south of you. It is a bit on the lite side but it has it's advantages at times.

In regards to this thread...am also interested in persuing minor tunings between REAL tunings.

Was looking at the kits from VanDaking...Professional kit-wood handle (just love well made tools, auto mechanic background)
http://www.vandaking.com/us-shop/index.html?loadfile=item0.html

Saw the Impact hammer?? http://www.reyburn.com/cyberhammer.html

Any comments??

I started with a standard Schaff/Hale type hammer, with a synthetic handle. I still use it for uprights. I don't like the gooseneck student hammers, even for students: I can't sense the angles through which the force is transmitted, because the curved neck confuses me.

I also have a ball-head hammer from Renner USA that I just love for tuning grands. There are several people who make and sell ball-head hammers, including some on this list.

I wouldn't myself spend any effort in trying to get all your tools at this point. It's worked much better for me to get them as I need them, maybe even trying them out so I feel comfortable with them first. But everyone has his own approach to life -- enjoy the tunings!