leather key bushings

[David ilvedson]

I believe Bill Spurlock tested a set of keys with 1/2 the 
bushings hot hide and the other 1/2 titebond.  He reported that 
the titebond bushings had slightly looser fit to the pins and so 
the bushing caul/cloth should have a tighter fit when placed.

David Ilvedson, RPT

From:           	"Doug  Hershberger" <dbhersh@home.com>
To:             	<pianotech@ptg.org>
Subject:        	Re: leather key bushings
Date sent:      	Wed, 26 May 1999 07:48:26 -0700
Send reply to:  	pianotech@ptg.org

> Jon and list,
>    Maybe there is less shrinkage using Tightbond, I don't know but I've had
> good success with it. Like I said in my earlier post the pianos I'm working
> on  are fairly new Yamaha's. I'm sure the source of the leather is fine and
> I also use Spurlock cauls. Ballistol oil is some kind of organic type oil
> used in gun shops. I guess they use it for lubricating the gun mechanisms.
> When I put it on the bushing leather it seems to condition the leather kind
> of like putting glove oil on a new baseball mitt. I make the fit of the
> leather fairly tight against the caul for the balance rail like with felt or
> maybe a tiny bit tighter. After all, the reason you are using leather is
> because  it is  high usage situation right? Don't make as tight on the front
> rail. I also take the piece of leather  I'm about to use and kind of strop
> the backside(the roughside) against the edge of my knife almost like you do
> when you are trying to make a piece of ribbon curl up. I don't know why but
> this seems to help. Like I said before I'm not the ultimate expert on the
> subject. I sure like the results though.
> Regards,
> Doug Hershberger, RPT
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Jon Ralinovsky <ralinoj@muohio.edu>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 1999 5:19 AM
> Subject: Re: leather key bushings
> 
> 
> > Doug and Others,
> > I'm using leather from Richard Meyer & Sons and cauls from Spurlock.  So
> > the fit has to be much tighter than usual at the outset?  Maybe some
> > full-grain cowhide would do ;)  What is Ballistol oil and what purpose
> does
> > it serve during the drying process?  Does it help keep the leather from
> > shrinking (if that is indeed my problem)?  Does Titebond help with the
> fit?
> > Will these questions ever stop?
> >
> >
> > >I've used the leather from Renner and not had that problem. What is the
> > >source of your leather? Also, on the balance rail I fit them fairly tight
> to
> > >the cauls. Bill Spurlock says to fit them a little loose otherwise they
> will
> > >be too tight. I tried that at first by sanding the thickness the leather
> but
> > >then I had the same problem you did. Although this is not related to
> > >fitting, one trick I learned was to put a drop or two of Ballistol oil on
> > >each side of the bushing before you leave the final caul in  for the glue
> to
> > >dry.
> > >   I know some people are going to get all worked up about the following;
> > >I've used tightbond to glue the leather in and NEVER had a problem
> steaming
> > >them back out. When I was learning how to fit the bushings, I got one set
> > >too loose and one too tight so I had to remove them. No problems with
> > >tightbond. These are fairly new pianos in an extreme environment. There
> are
> > >a lot of more knowledgeable people in PTG and maybe on the list as far as
> > >this topic is concerned but these are some of my experiences.
> > >Doug Hershberger, RPT
> >
> > Jon Ralinovsky
> >  Piano Tech, Miami U., Oxford, OH
> >  ralinoj@muohio.edu
> >
> >
> >
> 
> 


David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA
ilvey@jps.net