[pianotech] Key easing question

[David Skolnik]

Paul -
You're right.  I fell into the 'royal we' mode.  The original 
question did, in fact, inquire after an expeditious solution.  I 
think my thought process was that if Greg was unfamiliar with the 
commonly used tools for this function, he might also be unaware of 
some of the more enlightened approaches that have emerged since I 
first started doing this. In fact, it's equally possible to 
over-crush a key that has been removed from the key frame as one 
which is simply lifted to allow access.  As for using the off-set 
Renner pliers for the balance rail, it's perhaps not such a good 
idea, for two reasons:
First, the maximum closure of the jaws will often not be enough to 
compress the thin wall of the key button.  Second, the key buttons 
are often off-set.  The jaws of the Renner pliers can't compensate 
for the angle, the way an easing plier with a pivoting jaw can.  This 
doesn't mean you couldn't still ease the balance bushings with keys 
in-place, but you'd want to pull the frame out enough to use the other tool.

David Skolnik


At 02:14 PM 11/6/2010, you wrote:
>
>
>In a message dated 11/6/2010 12:01:51 P.M. Central Daylight Time, 
>davidskolnik at optonline.net writes:
>We're talking generalities and quick fixes here.
>
>We are? The original question was how to ease the keys without 
>taking the stack off. There are two ways to do that: "quick fixes" 
>which may damage the bushing and/or mortise, and equally quick 
>repairs and regulations using a proper and really nicely designed 
>tool. The off-set easing pliers, wherever you get them (I've been 
>using the Renner pliers for years) will work on both the front and 
>balance rail mortises without taking off the stack.
>
>Paul

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