This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment ----- Original Message -----=20 From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com> To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: January 10, 2003 4:51 AM Subject: Re: warped keys > Time, heat and pressure can even put a nice bend in a mountain. = Regarding the rims though, the thickness of the lamination is also = important. The thicker a piece of wood is (like a key), the longer heat = and pressure will be required to bend it. > Some very early (forte) piano rims were heat bent out of solid stock. A = few have been made from stacked, sawn stock. From the mid- to late-1800s = most all piano rims have been made from bent, laminated veneers of = varying species and thicknesses. Heat bending solid stock (with or without steam) into a piano rim is = problematic at best. The inconsistencies of the process pretty much = insure hand fitting everything on through the process. Bent laminates = are quite consistent -- assuming you maintain control over the process. >=20 > You could do the key in a steam box. That is how you go about bending = 2" by 2" (and larger) white oak to make a bent rib for a boat hull. Some = woods steam better than others. If you steamed the whole key though, I = guess you'd have to plan on rebushing and a new key cover. But yes, it = would most certainly work. Don't recommend it though. >=20 Not to mention the fact that all piano keysets are made of glued up = blanks. The glue joints holding the individual boards together are going = to want to come apart as well. What you're going to end up with are lots = of bits and pieces to glue back together. Ain't we got fun! Del ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/4f/95/6b/6e/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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