"Celluloid Key Covering"

[Jurjens Pianos & Violins]

Joe, thanks for that info.

I don't know if 'celluloid' is the correct name, but that is the name
used in the English supply catalogues.

What i DO know is that the non-ivory keytop material used on old
pianos looks a lot better, and feels 'harder' than the bright white
glossy plastic of the pre-shaped ketops i have seen. Bright shiny
plastic looks very 'cheap & nasty' on old pianos, and i think is
barely acceptable on new pianos, but people have got used to it.

Soooooooo.....
I would like to find this material that looks better to use for
recovering.

Scott Jackson (Wollongong Australia)



----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett@earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, 13 June 2002 7:58
Subject: "Celluloid Key Covering"


| Scott,
| What you refer to as "Celluloid", may not be what we in this
"colony" know
| as celluloid! (Although we both speak English, there tis a
difference, ya
| know, mate. <G>)The first form of plastic was celluloid. It was
EXTREMELY
| flammable. This is what was used on the pre-ivory-ban key fronts.
The more
| modern plastic that is referred to as "Ivorine", is not as flammable
and is
| available from one supplier, in 2 thicknesses, (.050" & .060"). This
is
| available from Schaff.
| IMHO the use of "Moulded" keytop material is substandard in many
ways,
| although there are those, out there, who have learned to do a
credible job.
| (flame suit firmly zipped up w/eye protection, ear protection and
vapor
| barriers armed.<G>) The Ivorine will be a better keytop, if trimmed
properly
| and of course properly glue with the appropriate glue, which is
PVC-E. Those
| who use the caustic "Contact Cement" get good results, as well. But,
there
| is a down-side to using Contact Cement: It degrades and loses it's
adhesion
| after about 20 years. This I know from personal experience. There is
a third
| glue that is made from Ivorine trimmings and Acetone. But again, it
has it's
| down-side. The darn stuff sticks too well, softens the plastic too
much,
| which shows every minute imperfection in the under-layment surface.
Hence
| the key tops get "wavy".
| The machine, of record, for trimming Ivorine, is the "Oslund"
System. This
| machine is difficult to use, archaic and difficult to keep in
adjustment.
| Much hand filing is always necessary with Ivorine and this system. I
know
| this is why most prefer the "moulded" tops. "Moulded" tops would be
ok IF
| all keys were dimensionally the same. (NOT!!!)
| Best Regards,
| Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon)
|