Expert: William J Perkins - 2/26/2008

Question
I have a few old clocks that have hammer leather either missing or hard and brittle causing a harsh sound when striking. The hammer ends are hollow for inserting the leather into them and I have bought pieces of new round leather. The trouble I'm having is how to insert the new leather. What I have is either too large to go into the hollow area or too small for a tight fit. Should the large leather be trimmed to fit tightly or should the small leather be glued into the head? Thanks very much. Lloyd

Answer
I usually use what ever scrap leather I find about, cut strips at about 3/16" square and however long the scrap is.  I then cut a taper on one end so that is snugly enters the hammer hole, push it in as far as I can and give it a twist.  The twist essentialy screws the leather in to the hole bottom.  This provide a very tight fit, I then cut the leather so that it protrudes about 3/16", then repeat until all the hammers are appropriatedly leathered.  I am glad you choose to do your own hammer repair.  The new, nylon tipped, hammers do not produce nearly as good tone.  Regards WJP