keytop planer

[Thomas Cole]

Rob --

This idea has great potential. I can visualize inserting the key at one 
end of a square tube, mounted to a piece of plywood, with an exhaust 
port at the other end connected to shop vacuum or dust collection 
system. The router would mount to the top of the tube. The dust 
collector keeps the bottom of the tube clean for accurate planing of the 
key stick.

I can see the need for some modifications to make it actually work well, 
and then it might even be safe!

Tom Cole

Rob Mitchell wrote:

> I'd have to agree with you Matthew, though actually, I have problems 
> with both designs.  The problem I had with the Genesis jig (aside from 
> it being somewhat expensive) is that I find I've got to go fairly 
> slowly when loading a key to make SURE the bottom of the key is flush 
> against the tool base.  Seems like an easy enough thing, but the 
> locking clamps tend to want to rock the key up off the base if they 
> are not precisely adjusted.  And if you route without noticing this, 
> it pretty much wrecks the key (ask me how I know...)
>
>  
>
> I've started thinking about a variation on these designs with the 
> router fixed in place instead of moving around over a slot (Genesis) 
> or back and forth on rails (the Jim Bryant design in the Journal). I 
> think I'd rather hold the key flush against the base and move it in 
> and out of the cutting area.  It would seem that a jig with the router 
> in a fixed position and with an adjustable stop to limit how far up 
> the key cutting is allowed would work better and faster
>
>  
>
> Anyone tried this approach?
>
>  
>
> Rob
>
>  
>
> Mitchell Piano Service
>
> www.mitchellpianoservice.com <http://www.mitchellpianoservice.com>
>
> (415) 994-1030
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> From: Matthew Todd [mailto:toddpianoworks at att.net]
> Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 7:49 PM
> To: Pianotech List
> Subject: RE: keytop planer
>
>  
>
> I wish I would of ran across those plans before I bought the Genesis 
> Jig from Randy Potter for $300.
>
>  
>
>  
>
> Matthew
>
> Jean and David Weiss <djweiss at ntelos.net> wrote:
>
>     Check out the Journal from November 2003. Page 10. You will see
>     plans for
>     an easy to build jig to mill keytops using a router.
>
>     David Weiss
>
>  
>
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