keytop planer

[Paul McCloud]

There is a Wagner Saf-T-Planer that is used in a drill press.  The cutting
blades are recessed under a spinning disc, so there's little chance of
injury while using it.  I've used one for years, but now send my keytops
out.  Sharpening the blades is easy with a supplied grinding stone (fits in
drill press).  A special jig using a vise is used to plane off a small
amount, only as needed (not the whole key!), so the plastic replacement is
inlaid nicely (use some care to do it right).  Cutting depth is set from
the drill press table and quill.  Obviously, you need some other device to
remove the fronts.  Very inexpensive, I think about $35.00 or so.
	Paul McCloud
	San Diego

Paul McCloud
Service Technician for PianoSD.com
www.pianoservsd.com 
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> [Original Message]
> From: Matt Wynne <ptuner at optonline.net>
> To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Date: 08/07/2008 5:21:32 PM
> Subject: keytop planer
>
> Greetings fellow piano wizards:
>
> I searched the archive for this info before this post and there 
> doesn't seem to be much specific info.
>
> I have been using a table saw to remove old keytops for years and I 
> would like to switch to a planer, which seems to be a little more
civilized.
>
> I purchased a Ryobi planer, but it has a stock feeder which pulls 
> work in, but is not conducive to pulling the work out again.  The 
> feeder cannot be disabled.
>
> I was hoping that any of you who use a planer for keytop removal 
> would be willing to share what type of planer you use.  Since I need 
> to acquire one, it probably won't be useful to post about a machine 
> that's been in use for 20 years and no longer readily available.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Matt
>