Twisted key

[tune4u@earthlink.net]

I set a key and its plastic key top on fire once. Do be careful.

Alan Barnard
Salem, MO

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On
Behalf Of Richard Moody
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 10:01 PM
To: Pianotech
Subject: Re: Twisted key


I once heated a twisted key over a gas stove burner flame and then
clamped it to a large cutting board.  This was done in the clients
home using their cutting board.  It took two tries but  the key
was back in the piano during that service call.

I like your suggestion of twisting it by hand while heating the
key. After all this is how "burning in" of hammers is done.   I
used the cutting board to determine when the twist is out by
sighting front and sideways.

----rm



----- Original Message -----
From: Ray Hopland <rhopland@telus.net>
To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2003 12:01 AM
Subject: Re: Twisted key


Bob
you can also use dry heat as in twisted hammer shanks.  I have two
heat lamps and space them about 2" apart facing each other.  With
two hands holding the ends of the key twist the key in the
direction to straighten it.  As the key heats up you can feel it
give.  If you go too far, undo it.  I once had a key that needed
three corrections, twisted, angle wrong with the other keys and
bowed in the vertical direction.  The lamps work like a charm.

Hope it works out
Ray Hopland

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Bob Hull
  To: Pianotech
  Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 9:20 PM
  Subject: Re: Twisted key


  If I try to tap the balance rail pin to the side to straighten
the way the key sits, then the key is sitting against the adjacent
key in the key button area. There is not enough room to tap it
over far enough to compensate for the leaning created by the
twist.  I may try to move it over from the back like you said,
that might be easier than reshaping the front and refitting the
key top.

  I wondered if anyone would suggest some method of steaming the
key wood while clamped in vices to untwist then letting it dry
being held in the correct shape.  But, perhaps key buttons would
come unglued, bushings may get loosened etc, with steam being
applied.

  Bob

   Dave Bunch <pdtek@mchsi.com> wrote:

    If the two adjacent keys were not there, could you square and
level it? In other words, is binding at the rear of the key what
is keeping you from lining things up in front? If so, you might be
able to reshape the rear of the key enough to make it work. You
could even plug and redrill for the capstan if needed.

    Dave Bunch
      ----- Original Message -----
      From: Bob Hull
      To: pianotech@ptg.org
      Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2003 8:55 PM
      Subject: Twisted key


      List,

      I tuned a Baldwin Hamilton today that has a twisted or
warped white key.  It can't be leveled with the others or squared.
The front of the key is twisted compared to the back.  When you
set it on a flat surface you can really see the twist - the front
left corner of the  key is up in the air about 1/8".  I know
sometimes you can force a wedge into a kerf cut into a key that is
bent or warped, but it doesn't seem like that would work on this
twisted key.  I would appreciate your suggestions.

      Bob





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