Key Button Replacement

[John Ross]

Thank you, John.
I should have realized that it wasn't a simple oversight on your part.
I have attended some of your classes, intending to do so at NEECSO, in
Boston this week again.
Best regards,
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message ----- 
[link redacted at request of site owner - Jul 25, 2015]
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2003 11:17 PM
Subject: Re: Key Button Replacement


> Farrell wrote:
> > I read John Hartman's March 2001 article on key button replacement. It
does not appear that the article addresses how to accurately cut the oblong
hole for the center rail pin. How do you do that?
> >
> > I have searched high and low and cannot find the April 2001 issue that
has the second half of the key button article. Does anyone have it that
would be willing to scan it and email it to me? I would be forever grateful!
> >
> > Terry Farrell
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
> >
> >
>
> I decided to leave out how I make the buttons in the Journal article. My
> hope was that soon I would be able to market a basic kit with two
> symmetrical buttons to fit the old Steinways and mason & Hamlins as well
> as the jigs to position the buttons on the keys. This would make things
> easy for other technicians and maybe help to reimburse me for the effort
> of writing the article and creating the plans. I made drawings and sent
> them to a keyboard maker. The first sets were very good but soon
> problems with getting the off-set accurate enough crept in. I was unable
> to convince him that this was a problem. He also wanted to sell the
> buttons I designed independently. I have pretty much given up getting
> these made properly.
>
> I have made many sets on my own but I think this is impractical for the
> occasional rebuilder. I had a set up with a drill press to create the
> mortises using metric end mills. It had a sliding table and a foot
> treadle to work the spindle up and down. I have abandoned this setup and
> am in the process of designing a custom over arm router. I don't think
> it would be worth  setting this up unless you are going to make keyboard
> as well.
>
> Good sources for key buttons are: Pianotek, these are basswood, I used
> these early on. And, Roseland, they have maple buttons but you are still
> going to have to trim them to get the right off-set and round the ends
> as well.
>
> John Hartman RPT
>
> John Hartman Pianos
[link redacted at request of site owner - Jul 25, 2015]
> Rebuilding Steinway and Mason & Hamlin
> Grand Pianos Since 1979
>
> Piano Technicians Journal
> Journal Illustrator/Contributing Editor
[link redacted at request of site owner - Jul 25, 2015]
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>