keytop planer

[Fenton Murray]

Wait, wait, wait a minute. How is changing out a plastic or ivory veneer that is damaged with a slightly thicker and stronger one ruining a keyset? The fact that .030 or .040 of wood is removed to provide a new glue surface and to retain original or to optimize a key height hardly sounds like a violation of our code of ethics. There are all kinds of different keytop materials to choose from out there, each with it's own method of retrofitting, and each applicable to different pianos in different environments for people of different tastes.
Fenton
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: J Patrick Draine 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2008 7:27 AM
  Subject: Re: keytop planer


  Hmmm, I think you will find there is a middle ground between, say, charging 100% markup on the most expensive/highest quality subcontracted work (plus yr. hourly rate for pickup shipping and reinstallation), and "ruin the keys and do the job myself." There are reasonably priced vendors out there, appropriate for even Poole spinets. Achieving an acceptable result takes a lot of practice and craftsmanship. 
  As it says on the back of your PTG membership card:
  "2. I will render the best possible service under the circumstances, always keeping the best interests of my client in mind.
  "3. I will engage only in fair trade practices in the knowledge that I am reflecting the honesty and integrity for which the Piano Technicians Guild stands."


  Patrick Draine RPT
  sub-contracting my keytop work since my first 2-3 keytop jobs decades ago


  On Sat, Aug 9, 2008 at 8:35 AM, Matthew Todd <toddpianoworks at att.net> wrote:

    Well, you know, there is a difference between a Steinway and a Poole spinet, am I right?

    Besides, most of my customers would rather have their keys gone for 3 to 4 days, rather than 3 to 4 weeks!

    If this were a high quality piano, then yes, I would probably contract the work.  If it is a Poole spinet, or some 100 year old junker, then yes, I would ruin the keys and do the job myself.  If someone professionally down the road wants to put sheet plastic on that same piano, I'm sure they can do it. Besides, I will be long gone.

    Matthew
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