warped key

[Jerry Hunt]

Willem:
I've straightened a key using the method from Reblitz' book:
Place the back end of the key in a wood clamp in a vice (I clamped mine
in my Workmate). Lay a wet rag over the key in the area of the bend, use
a hot steam iron to heat up and steam the key on both sides. Twist (or
bend, as the case may be) the key gently as you heat it. After a bit,
you'll notice that the key starts twisting/bending a little easier.
Twist/bend the key past level/flat, remove the iron and rag, while still
holding the key in position. Then with the iron turned down to warm and
with steam off, "iron" the key for a bit to remove some of the moisture.
It may take a couple of passes to get it back to normal (or close
enough).


Wimblees wrote:
> 
> Problem:  one warped key on a Baldwin console.
> 
> How it happened: 9 months ago this piano was under a leaking pipe in a church
> dining room. The water cascaded from the top over the swing panel and on to
> and through the the keys in the bass section.
> 
> First solution: I allowed the piano to dry out for several weeks, after which
> it only needed only a few bushings to eased. Other than that, it appeard
> everything was fine.
> Now, 9 months later G1 is warped. It has a slight bend in it, and is rubbing
> against the F. (It is leaving the F# and G# alone.
> 
> The key has a dog leg to the left. It has a key button on the underside. My
> initial thought is to lay the key on its side, with the bend up, and put a
> weight on the top of the bend, to allow it to straighten out. But I am not
> sure if this will work.
> 
> Any other ideas?
> 
> Willem Blees  RPT
> St. Louis

-- 
Jerry Hunt
Dallas, TX USA