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For a piano tuning in the Memphis TN area, call 901-827-3609 or email john@thepianotickler.com
The tools shown above go together. Please read our article - Tips For Beginning Techs - at the bottom of this page to understand why I recommend these items.

                                 Piano Tuning Tools - Schaff & Hale

Piano-tuning-lever

   We sell mostly Schaff piano tuning tools, supplies, and parts. Schaff, in business since 1884, purchased the Hale line of tools in 2000. The Hale piano tuning lever( sometimes referred to as a tuning hammer or piano tuning wrench) is a high quality, long lasting lever, trusted by technicians everywhere. Remember, quality piano tuning tools and parts will last you for years.

By the way, piano tuners and techs do not commonly use the term "piano tuning wrench". This tool is almost always described as a tuning lever by Schaff and other suppliers. And some older piano technicians may refer to it as a tuning hammer. Although I don't know why, since lever is the common term.   

   Schaff tuning tools are an excellent choice. I have used them  for thirty five years and I am quite satisfied with their high quality and strength. Many of those tools I bought 30+ years ago are still in use.

   Beginning piano tuners can purchase a student kit. This kit includes a student tuning lever, a C tuning fork, rubber mutes, and a temperament strip. You can learn to tune a piano using this kit. Then later consider purchasing the Hale compact extension tuning lever.

   Piano owners can also purchase items including brass desk knobs (for the fall board or key cover) and plastic snap on elbows. Elbow replacement is a piano repair that an untrained person can do at home! Be sure to read our instructions.

   We also include on this page a low cost piano bench in case your instrument does not have it's own keyboard bench. You can of course resell this product to your customers. Shipping for this item is free. If you need something not listed here please contact us for either sales or technical help. 

   Tuner technicians, beginner or experienced, should have a check list for their piano tuning tools supplies and parts. Always carry extra felt in a variety of sizes and types. And don't forget the wood glue. Next, be sure you have plenty of bass strings and music wire, plus hammer shanks and a good drill. And of course carry a small variety of piano parts. I know these suggestions sound routine but sometimes we forget stuff! Although I've been a piano tuner so long I probably could tuna fish.

   More basic tools you will need are a flexible screw pickup and holding tool. A 14" one is great but it is becoming harder to find them this length. Shorter ones are o.k. Basic screwdrivers, straight and phillips plus needle nose pliers are a necessity for piano tuning and repair. Also get a full size pair of pliars and a hammer. No, we are not going to hit the piano if it doesn't do right. Sometimes I'd like to. Some piano repairs do require a hammer.

   Another simple and very important tool is a light of some sort. I guess I think of a flashlight as sort of a piano tuning tool. I guarantee, without it you won't be able to see down inside of an action very well! So always carry 2 flashlights and extra batteries. A small portable electric light with it's own base or stand is good while you are tuning. Although lately I have had trouble finding a small electric lamp. They are all too big.

All of the above items are just the basic and necessary piano tuning equipment needed for every day use by piano technicians. 

If you need piano tuning and repair service in Memphis Tennessee call 901-827-3609.

We offer top quality service to you and your piano. Let the wrong person in your house and you may need a piano tuning repair! 

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL ORDERS FOR PIANO TUNING TOOLS AND SUPPLIES MUST BE $25.00 OR MORE.



Sort By:
BASIC PIANO TUNING KITBASIC PIANO TUNING KIT
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 Student Piano Tuning LeverStudent Piano Tuning Lever
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 UPRIGHT PIANO REGULATING TOOL KITUPRIGHT PIANO REGULATING TOOL KIT
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J. WALKER BLUED PIANO TUNING FORKJ. WALKER BLUED PIANO TUNING FORK
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 WOOL TEMPERAMENT STRIPWOOL TEMPERAMENT STRIP
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 RUBBER MUTE WITH WIRE HANDLERUBBER MUTE WITH WIRE HANDLE
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PIANO AGEPIANO AGE
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 VAGIAS SNAP-ON DROP LIFTER ELBOWSVAGIAS SNAP-ON DROP LIFTER ELBOWS
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Grand-Piano-Keys-Action
HERE IS A VIEW OF THE ACTION INSIDE A SAMICK GRAND PIANO. ONLY A TRAINED TECHNICIAN SHOULD ATTEMPT TO PULL A GRAND ACTION OUT. ALL GRAND PIANOS BASICALLY LOOK THE SAME INSIDE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE STYLE OR TYPE OF ACTION. THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF HOW THEY WORK IS THE SAME FOR ALL GRANDS.
Buying Piano Tuning Tools - Tips For Beginning Technicians

Your choice of piano tuning tools is a very important decision. You should be very selective in picking which piano tuning tools to purchase if you are new to the piano tuning business. Select only the tools that you will need as a beginner. So how do you know what to buy? Here is a short list.

1. Tuning Lever or Hammer

2. Tuning Fork - I suggest a C fork

3. Temperament Strip - Medium Thick

4. Rubber Mutes - At least 4 with wire handles

5. Upright Piano Regulating Tool Kit - This kit has a 7" offset damper regulator and a 7" regulating screwdriver. A spoon bender, back check regulator, offset key spacer and two straight screw drivers.

Plus the tool handle that holds each tool with a compressing nut. The damper regulator is for adjusting ringing dampers. The regulating screwdriver is for adjusting the jack let off button.

The spoon bender is for bending the spoon shaped metal piece on the back of the whippen. The back check regulator is for bending the back check wire. The offset spacer is for spacing the keys.

Although the slot in the head of this item makes it very useful for pushing hammer springs back onto the hammer butt. Piano tuning tools are not cheap. This is one reason I also suggest to keep it lite.

Besides, there are dozens and dozens of specialized piano tuning tools and devices. Most of them you may never use.




Now for the reasons I display the offset key spacer and combination handle above to be purchased together.




Besides keeping my expenses down, I use this 2 piece set to make my tuning case lighter. Since I'm not as young as I used to be, carrying less tools is easier on my back.

If you are young maybe carrying a heavy tool kit doesn't bother you. If so then go ahead and buy the complete upright piano regulating kit.

What I'm saying here is that the key spacer (with handle) can sub for some of the items in the full kit. Remember, all of these piano tuning tools plus more can fit into the combination handle with locking nut.

So once you have the handle you can later buy more piano tuning tools that fit into it as needed.

Here are the subtitutions:

1. Use the open slot in the end of the key spacer as a damper regulator. Basically both are shaped about the same and with a little practice this works just as well.

2. Use the slotted end to reach into the action to turn the let off screw. Be very careful not to bend or break off this part. It actually looks more like a hook than a screw.

This works almost as good as the regulating screw driver except that it can slip off. If the key spacer does slip off the screw just start again.

You will also have to make shorter turns. Then left the tool, replace and turn again. This is neccessary so that one does not break off the screw.

3. Spoon bender. There is no sub for this piano tuning tool. It can also be very difficult to use. It may take a lot of extra practice to correctly use this item.

If one is planning to do a whole lot of upright piano regulating for a factory or shop then it is neccessary to learn how to use this tool. If planning to only do home and church piano tuning, minor repair and on the spot adjustments then the spoon bender is not needed.

I've never really used this device. It has even come to my attention that this particular item is not very effective. Some techs make their own version.

Anyway, most on the spot damper lever adjusting (which is what a spoon bender is for) can be done up top below the damper block, with! Guess what? The offset key spacer, which of course can also be used as an "offset key spacer".

Plus don't forget to use it to slip hammer springs back in place.

4. Back Check Regulator? Just use your fingers. You just saved $15.00 right there. Plus fingers are quicker. Saving money is a big reason I use these substitutions.

5. The two screwdrivers. I bet you already have a straight blade screwdriver, so these may not be needed. You will need a phillips to take some pianos apart. I do suggest to get 8" long blades.

So, there you have it. The combination handle and offset key spacer. Half the price of the whole kit. Another tip. Just leave the spacer in the handle. Reach into your kit and grab it.

That's faster than unscrewing the nut, pulling out that piano tuning tool, reaching into your case, slipping another one in and then tighten it before use. Grab and go is a lot faster.

Please remember that using any of these piano tuning tools properly will take study and practice. This idea of subing one tool for another is strickly my personal approach. I have 35 years of experience in the piano tuning business.

Never the less, what works for me may not work for you. Always follow recommended regulating procedures. And always pay careful attention to what you are doing. As a beginner, much of your learning may be on the job training.

Use Schaff and Hale piano tuning products and be satisfied with the strength and quality. In three and a half decades of using these American made products only one of them has broken. And that was after hundreds of hours of use.

Check back often. I will be adding more helpful tips on piano tuning and repair. Plus more tools and and other products.

Please view Schaff and Hale Piano Tuning Tools.

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