[pianotech] Pulley Keys

[Mark Schecter]

I have for years kept a supply of travelling paper handy by sticking it to the inside of a plastic parts box. I keep single, double, and triple thicknesses appropriately marked, and just use a razor blade to cut a slice of the desired size and thickness when it's needed. I use the corner of the blade to lift the shim and carry it to its destination, usually a flange. Lasts a long time between refills. 

-- Mark Schecter



On Sep 6, 2011, at 1:44 PM, Alan Eder <reggaepass at aol.com> wrote:

> Hi Joe,
> I
> spend some time with scissors and whack up a bunch as needed. I've tried to
> find a paper shredder that would do that laborious job, but all are too
> wide for our uses. 
> For years, I have used an electric envelope opener (from a stationary store, designed to remove a slim edge of an envelope). Repeated passes of that shipping tape you mentioned results in many appropriately sized pieces of traveling paper whose length is the width of the tape roll. More recently, I saw a very small and inexpensive hand-cranked paper shredder, just the right width for said packing tape (go figure: to train future secretaries from a tender young age?). The one I saw is in Richard Davenport's shop. It arrived without explanation, save a return address from Mark Adams (San Diego area), apparently the latest installment in their on-going game of "What the heck is this thingee, and how might it apply to piano work?"
> 
> FWIW,
> 
> Alan Eder
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joseph Garrett <joegarrett at earthlink.net>
> To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Sent: Tue, Sep 6, 2011 9:24 am
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Pulley Keys
> 
> John P. asked: "From: <johnparham at piano88.com>
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Pulley Keys - was balance hole break-loose
> noise
> Message-ID:
> <20110906101713.f1fd8b108a58a93f763c4cd7f53850a9.830d24b079.wbe at email03.secu
> reserver.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>  
> Joe,
>  
> "insert gummed travel paper into the hole and
> > force the pin down on it, to hold it in place, until the glue, (it's
> > actually hide or fish glue, depending on the type of gummed paper you
> > have.<G>), until the glue has sets."
>  
> I like this idea, but I have a few questions about your methodology:
>  
> Specifically, how do you insert the gummed paper into the balance rail
> hole.
> -ball it up and stuff it in?
> -roll it up and carefully insert into the hole?
> -put glue in paper first or after it's in the hole?
> -size the hole with a spare balance rail pin or by putting key back on
> the keyframe?
>  
> Thanks,"
> 
> John,
> I start with the traveling paper that I have already cut into workable
> sized strips. I keep them in all manner of little containers in the shop
> and in my kits out in the field. Film cans are really good for that, (IF
> you can find them anymore!<G>) The GUMMED paper I use, comes in large rolls
> that were, originally, used for sealing packages. (Another thing you are
> hard pressed to find nowadays! btw, I have a life time supply...plus<G>) I
> spend some time with scissors and whack up a bunch as needed. I've tried to
> find a paper shredder that would do that laborious job, but all are too
> wide for our uses. Having said all that, I simply lick the strip of travel
> paper and put it, glue side in, into the hole, about 1/16" in. If out in
> the field, I use my capstan wrench, (it's not really a "wrench", but a
> double tapered rod with one end with an angle bend), to size it into the
> hole and hold it in place until the glue sets up. (only takes a few
> minutes). While it's setting up I trim the end sticking out flush. Note:
> most key balance holes have a slight counter-sink, which gives more surface
> for the travel paper to adhere to and not interfer with the key function.
> In the shop, I just use the set of balance pins to hold them in. BTW, make
> sure you ascertain the direction the key needs to be moved front/back! Be
> consistant where and how you install the travel paper, else you have
> "Snaggle Tooth" keys. DAMHIK!
> Regards,
> Joe
> P.S.
> If you are planning to put this in the Journal, feel free to edit, but
> don't leave out any necessary facts.<G> I would suggest you try this out a
> few times and then you'll have it perfected.<G>
> G
> 
> 
> Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
> Captain of the Tool Police
> Squares R I
> 
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