keyboard levelling

[Isaac Sadigursky]

Thank you,Keith! I like that idea about scotch-Joints,I'm going to try
it,too. thanx again.. Isaac


> [Original Message]
> From: Keith McGavern <kam544@gbronline.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 11/26/04 11:07:31 AM
> Subject: RE: keyboard levelling
>
> At 9:55 PM -0800 11/25/04, Isaac Sadigursky wrote:
> >... On some older pianos there are clear marks from old-fashioned 
> >key leveling leads which had 2 sharp nails and were tapped with 
> >light hammer near the capstan,but,probably,it was too time 
> >consuming.I do have a sozen of those leads with nails and they work. 
> >...
>
> I get kind of aggressive when I re-level a set of grand piano keys.
>
> When adding/removing balance rail shims, the clip-on type weights 
> tended to fall off, and the nail type weights wouldn't stay put 
> either, though somewhat better.
>
> So I finally decided to ground the nails off and install Scotch 
> joiner plates (nomenclature?) with contact cement. This allows eight 
> (8) holding points per weight. I tap them on with a small hammer, and 
> I use all eighty-eight (88) during a re-leveling process.
>
> And yes, it takes more time to put them on, and to take them off, but 
> the results are worth it for me. The only real downside I see that 
> would exist in some folks minds is the evidence of such activity by 
> the holes that have been introduced in the wood.
>
> That's my method of madness.
>
> Keith
> -- 
> Keith McGavern
> Registered Piano Technician
> Oklahoma Chapter 731
> Piano Technicians Guild
> USA