The new P57 'Hook-back' tool,
a driver/retriever
for student French horn
work.
This dent tool offers more power and flexibility for
French horn dents in
the hand grip area; than ever before.
The P57 "hook/back" tool on the bench with the baby helicon.
Named for the function, "from the fingerhook
back to the connection ring", this tool was developed by Gary and Steve a
few years ago when we were fixing up some old FRENCH HORNS we had laying
around. It seemed to us that the dents were more severe in the hand grip
area of these tough old school horns, than normal. So, we decided to make a tool
that would concentrate on the 'hand grip area'.
To do this, we had to
back-out the P56, redesign the handle and use a formed "chute"
get the power to the to the dented area. Coupled with a N62AS (or N62BS,
half in between size
set of balls) and the standard N57G set you already have, this
makes a dynamite package for knocking the dents out of this very vulnerable
area. The N57G sets are already drilled to the drill size #29; if, you
have other sets you will have to drill them out. Keep in mind that
Ferree's N57G ball sets are a hyperbolic barrel, no a simple radius and have a
larger "anvil" or work area on them.
As you get further back into the bell, in the
vicinity of the mouthpipe brace, you will have to use your N57G set,
as noted (don't forget the N57X set of 4 special sized balls, (.755", .760",
.765" & .770") these balls are already drilled to the proper #7
size for the stroke cable.
The P57 assembly consists of the new P57A Power handle, the
necessary ball segments ( P56B, P56C and P56D), and a special 5" stroke
cable. You use this tool with the N62AS (.775" to 1.250") and/or N62BS ball sets, which you probably
already have at least one of. Then, to get smaller than .775" (19.7mm) you have to use your
N57G set which is .750" (19.0mm) and smaller. (If the N57G set
is used, the
balls from the N57G set will have to have the pilot holes drilled oversized
using a # 7 drill.) As mentioned above, you may even want to use the N57X four ball
set as Blenders.
As you may have guessed, all of these segments are
interchangeable with the P56 French horn branch driver/retriever. In fact,
if you want to go further into the horn, all you have to do is get the smaller segments; P56E and
P56F. These ALL use the larger stroke cable. You can get even the
P56G and P56H, if you want. The G & H, however, use the smaller
stroke cable, like the P53, P52, P50 and others do. If you
already have a P56 you will only need to get the P57A Power handle, which
includes: the "chute", the special 5" stroke cable and then
use the black centering ball segments off of your P56.
Cost of this P57 power house is just $314.50+s/h, complete.
Cost of just the P57A Handle
Assembly is $144.50+s/h.
(If you want to use your own P56 components)
French Horns and Helicons
Angel Bass, Rob Bass and Baby Bass, a real Helicon.
A short time ago, Gary took in a helicon from a friend who plays in a "Clown Band".
It was a 'USA Line', a stencil by York of Grand Rapids, MICH. Coincidentally,
the 3rd branch of this Eb Helicon was within the parameters of the New P57 tool.
When Rob brought his little Eb Helicon around, it was missing the main brace, several others
were broken, and the valves were so loose you couldn't center a tone. Add to that, the "smash"
which broke the main branch tubing, and you nearly have the beginning.
The horn had been overhauled
and silver-plated at some time in the past as was evidenced by the 'ghosts' under the
then current brace
positions. The casings were straightened, the valves were brought up to
size and fitted, then all the dent work on the entire instrument was done by the Z60/61 dent
machine; save
the part that was done by F10A dent burnishing hammer and the new P57 Hook-back driver-retriever.
Gary holding a ball over the "smash". The saved area
after the Z60/61 treatment.
Smashed area "during"
the process. "Pieces parts", notice SMASH.
Ferree's Tools- "the most copied tools in the world"
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