Music Trade Review
Issue: 1926 Vol. 83 N. 3 - Page 36
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36
The Music Trade Review
JULY 17, 1926
The Technical and Supply Department—(Continued from page 35)
that when a hammer has become altogether flat-
tened out, attempts at restoration of shape by
means of the file are doomed to failure and for
the sake of the piano had better not be at-
tempted. When a hammer or set of hammers is
in this badly flattened condition, the test is the
condition of the actual contact surface. If this
surface is deeply indented with grooves made
by the wires, so that the original point of con-
tact has been lengthened out to half an inch
or more in the middle sections, filing alone will
probably do much more harm than good. The
only possibility of restoration will then lie in
doing what can be done, by the application of
heat, to press the felt back into something like
its original oval shape. Only after this has been
done so far as may be possible, can one hope to
accomplish any good with the file and needles.
How to Use Hot Iron
I know that some good men do not like the
use of the hot iron, but I have often found it
very useful indeed. Everything depends upon
how it is used, of course. The best tool for
the purpose, I think, is an old one-inch wide
chisel which has been cut off square at some
distance from the cutting edge, leaving the blade
some three inches long. In these electric days
some ingenious tuner might adapt a small elec-
tric soldering iron to the same purpose, cutting
down the soldering tool flat and square. Other-
wise, the iron is best heated in the flame of an
alcohol lamp.
My procedure in a case of badly flattened
hammers is, first, to heat the iron until it is
just hot enough to scoTch the felt when it is
pressed hard against the sides of the hammers.
I find it useful to cover the felt with a wet
cloth, and as the iron is pressed alternately
against each side of the hammer-felt, to push
hard with the fingers against the other side, so
that the pressure and the steam together may
soften the packed felt enough to enable one to
reshape it, more or less.
This is no simple job, but one that takes much
time and patience. In most cases the better
plan, of course, would be to put on a new set of
hammers, but where the owner cannot or will
not stand such a price as would be involved in
a rehammering job, two hours spent in ironing
as I suggest will be well and profitably occupied.
I do not say that the ironing will give a per-
manent job, but I do say that if it is properly
done from end to end the felt will be in some-
thing like fair shape to be treated with the sand-
paper.
The latter is used in No. 1 roughness for the
first work and No. 0 for the finishing. The
paper is glued on a thin wooden strip, say, six
inches long and one-inch wide. I find cigar-box
wood very convenient, but there are special
holders made by manufacturers of tuners' tools.
How to Use File
In starting it is well to remember that all
EASY TO REPAIR
DAMAGED FINISHES
OU can easily repair the damage
Y
to varnished surfaces through fol-
lowing the instructions given in our
book "How to Repair Damage to Var-
nished Surfaces." Dealers everywhere
are enthusiastic over the ease with
which this is done—and the losses
which have been eliminated. A copy
vrill be sent to you free upon request.
The M.L.Campbell Co.
1OO1 W. 8th St.
one can do is to take off enough felt to level
the contact surface down to the bottom of the
indented grooves made by the wires. If the
hammers are in good enough shape, with or
without preliminary ironing, start operations
from the back-check side of the felt, nearest
and shave by a series of short strokes towards
the top or contact surfaces. About one-quarter
inch short of the middle of the contact surface
check the operation. Then go on to the next
hammer. Do the whole section on one side in
this way and then go back to the beginning of
the section and start on the opposite side of the
first hammer. Repeat the operation in precisely
the same way. The sand-paper will only take
off a very thin layer, and it will be unnecessary
to put heavy pressure upon it; in fact, both un-
necessary and useless.
Repeat Operation
Do the same thing with each of the remain-
ing sections until the whole set of eighty-eight
hammers is left with the contact surface un-
touched to a length of one-half inch all over,
while the felt has been filed on either side up
to this place and in such a way as to maintain
a nearly oval contour.
The Object
The object of leaving the contact surface itself
untouched for the present is to enable the oper-
ator to test the hardness at this point, decide
what is needed to be done in the way of
needling, and accomplish this latter task before
he performs the irreparable act of shaping the
critical striking region, which is most important
in the process.
(To be continued)
Correspondence
is solicited and should be addressed to William
Braid White, 5149 Agatite avenue, Chicago.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
Value of Apprenticeship
Emphasized by Government
Majority of Manufacturers Believe in Appren-
ticeship System According to Department of
Commerce, but Methods Vary
WASHINGTON, D. C, July 10.—The Department
of Manufacture of the United States Chamber
of Commerce has just issued the results of its
survey of the subject of "Apprenticeship in
American Industry," and offers the conclusion
that apprenticeship, although tracing its history
back to ancient times, is more important to mod-
ern industry than it ever was before. "Appren-
ticeship," the survey adds, "must be adjusted
to meet modern and changing conditions. Prac-
tical and logical plans are available for meeting
these conditions. In order to be mutually suc-
cessful, apprenticeship must produce results for
both the employer and the apprentice, the inter-
ested parties."
The survey analyzes the methods followed by
many of the large corporations and plans appli-
cable to small as well as large business institu-
tions and industrial communities.
Most manufacturers, the department con-
cludes, believe in the general policy of appren-
tice training, though they may differ greatly
on methods. They realize that apprenticeship in
practically every form supplies a reservoir from
which to fill vacancies in the supervisory force.
It produces dependable, efficient and capable
workmen, reduces labor turnover, supplies
skilled artisans' needs because of restricted im-
migration and produces men who are more val-
uable to themselves as well as to their em-
ployers.
The Anderson Music Co., located at 185 South
First street, San Jose, Cal., has completed ar-
rangements for opening its new store in the
St. Claire Building, a block or so from its
present location.
TUNERS
AND
REPAIRERS
Our new catalogue of piano and
Player H a r d w a r e , Felts and
Tools is now ready. If you
haven't received y o u r copy
please let us know.
Kansas City, Mo.
FAUST SCHOOL
OF TUNING
Standard of America
Alumni of 2000
Piano Tuning, Pipe and Reed Organ
and Player Piano. Tear Book Free.
27-29 Gainsboro Street
BOSTON, MASS.
Hammacher, Schlemmer & Co.
New York, Since 1848
4th Ave. and 13th St.
36
The Music Trade Review
JULY 17, 1926
The Technical and Supply Department—(Continued from page 35)
that when a hammer has become altogether flat-
tened out, attempts at restoration of shape by
means of the file are doomed to failure and for
the sake of the piano had better not be at-
tempted. When a hammer or set of hammers is
in this badly flattened condition, the test is the
condition of the actual contact surface. If this
surface is deeply indented with grooves made
by the wires, so that the original point of con-
tact has been lengthened out to half an inch
or more in the middle sections, filing alone will
probably do much more harm than good. The
only possibility of restoration will then lie in
doing what can be done, by the application of
heat, to press the felt back into something like
its original oval shape. Only after this has been
done so far as may be possible, can one hope to
accomplish any good with the file and needles.
How to Use Hot Iron
I know that some good men do not like the
use of the hot iron, but I have often found it
very useful indeed. Everything depends upon
how it is used, of course. The best tool for
the purpose, I think, is an old one-inch wide
chisel which has been cut off square at some
distance from the cutting edge, leaving the blade
some three inches long. In these electric days
some ingenious tuner might adapt a small elec-
tric soldering iron to the same purpose, cutting
down the soldering tool flat and square. Other-
wise, the iron is best heated in the flame of an
alcohol lamp.
My procedure in a case of badly flattened
hammers is, first, to heat the iron until it is
just hot enough to scoTch the felt when it is
pressed hard against the sides of the hammers.
I find it useful to cover the felt with a wet
cloth, and as the iron is pressed alternately
against each side of the hammer-felt, to push
hard with the fingers against the other side, so
that the pressure and the steam together may
soften the packed felt enough to enable one to
reshape it, more or less.
This is no simple job, but one that takes much
time and patience. In most cases the better
plan, of course, would be to put on a new set of
hammers, but where the owner cannot or will
not stand such a price as would be involved in
a rehammering job, two hours spent in ironing
as I suggest will be well and profitably occupied.
I do not say that the ironing will give a per-
manent job, but I do say that if it is properly
done from end to end the felt will be in some-
thing like fair shape to be treated with the sand-
paper.
The latter is used in No. 1 roughness for the
first work and No. 0 for the finishing. The
paper is glued on a thin wooden strip, say, six
inches long and one-inch wide. I find cigar-box
wood very convenient, but there are special
holders made by manufacturers of tuners' tools.
How to Use File
In starting it is well to remember that all
EASY TO REPAIR
DAMAGED FINISHES
OU can easily repair the damage
Y
to varnished surfaces through fol-
lowing the instructions given in our
book "How to Repair Damage to Var-
nished Surfaces." Dealers everywhere
are enthusiastic over the ease with
which this is done—and the losses
which have been eliminated. A copy
vrill be sent to you free upon request.
The M.L.Campbell Co.
1OO1 W. 8th St.
one can do is to take off enough felt to level
the contact surface down to the bottom of the
indented grooves made by the wires. If the
hammers are in good enough shape, with or
without preliminary ironing, start operations
from the back-check side of the felt, nearest
and shave by a series of short strokes towards
the top or contact surfaces. About one-quarter
inch short of the middle of the contact surface
check the operation. Then go on to the next
hammer. Do the whole section on one side in
this way and then go back to the beginning of
the section and start on the opposite side of the
first hammer. Repeat the operation in precisely
the same way. The sand-paper will only take
off a very thin layer, and it will be unnecessary
to put heavy pressure upon it; in fact, both un-
necessary and useless.
Repeat Operation
Do the same thing with each of the remain-
ing sections until the whole set of eighty-eight
hammers is left with the contact surface un-
touched to a length of one-half inch all over,
while the felt has been filed on either side up
to this place and in such a way as to maintain
a nearly oval contour.
The Object
The object of leaving the contact surface itself
untouched for the present is to enable the oper-
ator to test the hardness at this point, decide
what is needed to be done in the way of
needling, and accomplish this latter task before
he performs the irreparable act of shaping the
critical striking region, which is most important
in the process.
(To be continued)
Correspondence
is solicited and should be addressed to William
Braid White, 5149 Agatite avenue, Chicago.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
Value of Apprenticeship
Emphasized by Government
Majority of Manufacturers Believe in Appren-
ticeship System According to Department of
Commerce, but Methods Vary
WASHINGTON, D. C, July 10.—The Department
of Manufacture of the United States Chamber
of Commerce has just issued the results of its
survey of the subject of "Apprenticeship in
American Industry," and offers the conclusion
that apprenticeship, although tracing its history
back to ancient times, is more important to mod-
ern industry than it ever was before. "Appren-
ticeship," the survey adds, "must be adjusted
to meet modern and changing conditions. Prac-
tical and logical plans are available for meeting
these conditions. In order to be mutually suc-
cessful, apprenticeship must produce results for
both the employer and the apprentice, the inter-
ested parties."
The survey analyzes the methods followed by
many of the large corporations and plans appli-
cable to small as well as large business institu-
tions and industrial communities.
Most manufacturers, the department con-
cludes, believe in the general policy of appren-
tice training, though they may differ greatly
on methods. They realize that apprenticeship in
practically every form supplies a reservoir from
which to fill vacancies in the supervisory force.
It produces dependable, efficient and capable
workmen, reduces labor turnover, supplies
skilled artisans' needs because of restricted im-
migration and produces men who are more val-
uable to themselves as well as to their em-
ployers.
The Anderson Music Co., located at 185 South
First street, San Jose, Cal., has completed ar-
rangements for opening its new store in the
St. Claire Building, a block or so from its
present location.
TUNERS
AND
REPAIRERS
Our new catalogue of piano and
Player H a r d w a r e , Felts and
Tools is now ready. If you
haven't received y o u r copy
please let us know.
Kansas City, Mo.
FAUST SCHOOL
OF TUNING
Standard of America
Alumni of 2000
Piano Tuning, Pipe and Reed Organ
and Player Piano. Tear Book Free.
27-29 Gainsboro Street
BOSTON, MASS.
Hammacher, Schlemmer & Co.
New York, Since 1848
4th Ave. and 13th St.
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