[CAUT] Pulley keys.

[Don Mannino]

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Roger,
=20
Well, for once I'm going to have to disagree with one of your excellent
posts.  I think the amount of glue shown looks like too much, and will
lead to 'ticking' of the keys over the next year or two.  I am not
referring to a noisy key from the hardness of the glue, I am speaking of
a sticking at the start of key movement from the somewhat rubbery /
plasticky nature of the glue.
=20
This is very much like the Chinese key syndrome, where the piano company
has coated the keys to help stabilize the holes.  They make a loud
'click' the first time you play them, then they are quiet until you stop
playing them for a while and come back.
=20
Were these keys so loose that simple steaming would not do the job?  I
have taken a similar approach to yours by steaming the key holes, then
either inserting the pins as you have done (which works), or allowed the
wood to dry and eased them normally. I find the easing the over tight
hole to be preferable to (albeit slower than) using a sizing pin,
because the contact area with the key pin after fitting is smaller.  The
key is snug at the very bottom of the key hole, giving a nicer key
movement.
=20
Keep an ear out on these keys for a while - prove me wrong.  Maybe some
Teflon on the pins will prevent any noise (although this doesn't work
well on the Chinese keys).
=20
 :-)
=20
Don Mannino

-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Roger Jolly
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2005 6:36 PM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: [CAUT] Pulley keys.


Greetings all.
                       I solution for pulley keys.

Use a set of balance rail pins,  Mix 50% PVC-E glue with 50% water. Swab
hole, insert pin from the top of the key, swab around bottom of key to
form a meniscus around pin.  Allow 24 hrs to dry.  Pin will be frozen in
position.  Rotate pin one turn, and it will slide out.

Hole will be sized tp perfection.

This piano was a 70's Steinway L with the felt knuckles.  All 88 had
been over sized to try and solve friction problems.  What a mess.

Roger=20


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