[pianotech] Key Bushing Job

Floyd Gadd fg at floydgadd.com
Tue Jul 21 06:54:33 MDT 2009


Hi Matthew,

The advantage I see with Flitz is that it has a mild abrasive, so that you
are not only cleaning, you are polishing. On some key pins, I think this
matters.

As for the difference between Prolube and Protek, I honestly don't know what
differentiates these products (other than the pump applicator on the
Prolube), and I don't know where to find out.  Prolube was recommemded to me
for this job at one time, and I've used it ever since.  I do know that
Protek CLP has good lubricant properties, and that once applied, it stays
where you put it.

Floyd




Can I also use Protek to polish/lube the pins?


TODD PIANO WORKS
Matthew Todd, Piano Technician
(979) 248-9578
http://www.toddpianoworks.com

--- On Tue, 7/21/09, Floyd Gadd <fg at floydgadd.com> wrote:


From: Floyd Gadd <fg at floydgadd.com>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Key Bushing Job
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 5:12 AM


Hi Matthew,

You will not regret the purchase of the key clamps.  Great tools!

I have taken a length of dowel and inserted a front rail pin into one end
and a balance rail pin into the other.  It's useful for getting a
preliminary idea of where the bushings are at once the cauls are out.

I purchased the key easing iron (soldering iron based) from Pianotek, with
the tapered tips.  I find it an invaluable tool in the rebushing/refitting
process, allowing me to work quickly and effectively at the keyboard as I'm
reinstalling the keys.

Make sure you attend to polishing the keypins and lubricating the
keypin/bushing interface.  I use Flitz and Prolube.  I see some techs also
apply powdered teflon to the bushings.  Maybe I should be doing that too.

Have fun!

Floyd Gadd
Manitoba Chapter



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