[pianotech] Key Pin Cleaner Tool - was break away sound- - - - -

[johnparham at piano88.com]

Joe,

Your "Flitz-soaked sandwiched punching" does the cleaning. How do you
keep from scratching the pin as you move the angled steel up and down on
the pin to clean it?

-John Parham

> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Key Pin Cleaner Tool - was break away sound- -
> - - -
> From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett at earthlink.net>
> Date: Tue, September 06, 2011 1:36 pm
> To: "Alan Eder" <reggaepass at aol.com>, "pianotech" <pianotech at ptg.org>
> 
> 
> Alan,
> That is not the case at all.<G> The tool I've made is fairly simple. It is piece of steel about 1/8" thick x 1/2" wide x approx. 10" long. It is shaped something like this: _/----   It has a hole drill throughThe short horizontal end. The hole has a major countersink in it. It also has a 10x24 threaded hole next to the big hole. On top of that is a small plate about 3/4" long, made out ot the same material. It has the same Countersunk hole and a smaller hole that allows the 10/24 bolt to go through it. On the opposite side of the medium hole is a smaller hole the size of a #26 center pin, into which I have anchored said center pin. The center pin is extending about 1/8" out of the "plate", (point is outward/downward) On the main "handle" is a corresponding hole that receives the #26 center pin as a snug fit. (I'd have to go look to see what drill bit accomplishes that.<G>) When assembled I sandwich a Thick Center Rail Felt Punching between the "handle" and the "plate" and scr
>  ew the 10/24 screw down to hold it in position. Once it's held, I apply a drop or two of Flitz to the punching. I remove all of the key pin punchings, keeping them in order, including the paper/card punchings. (I have a special tool, made out of a piece of olde soundboard steel, that makes this job quick and easy.<G>) Then I run the tool up and down and pivot it at the base of each pin. About every 5 or 6 pins, I reload the punching with Flitz, (The bottle NOT the tube!<G>) Once all of the Balance pins have been done, I do the same with the front rail pins, but no pivoting, just up/down cleaning. This tool w/a good handle, eliminates all the finger cramps, dirty fingers etc. that we have all experienced while "cleaning" the key pins!<G> Once all have had the Flitz treatment, I then wipe off the Flitz with a clean/dry cloth. Then replace all the punchings on the Balance rail. Then, I use my Brass Front Rail Pin Alignment Tool to align those cursed oval pins. That tool will no
>  t mar the front rail pins, (as other tools do), and gets the pins absolutely straight and square with the rails. The whole thing should not take more than 1/2 hour to do, with the aid of these tools. Once, all that is accomplished, the Front Rail Punchings go back on. Then, the newly rebushed/repaired keys go back on for Easing/Leveling/Dipping. <G>
> I hope that explains the system sufficiently. No, I do not have pictures...yet!<G> (even though I've been using this "system" for over 3 years....go figger.<G>)
> Regards,
> Joe
> P.S.
> Hope you don't mind my posting to the pianotech group. (hate chewing my mush twice.<G>)
> G
> From: Alan Eder 
> To: joegarrett at earthlink.net;pianotech at ptg.org
> Sent: 9/6/2011 10:02:02 AM 
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Key Pin Cleaner Tool - was break away sound- - - - -
> 
> 
> Hi Joe,
> 
> after
> cleaning the pins with my super speedy key pin cleaner.<G> GAAA (a new
> thangee)." 
> Laura said: "Do tell. This is a tool that I am interested in."
> 
> Well, then, ya need to convince the powers that be to allow me to give the
> class.
> 'Twas I, not Laura, who inquired about your key pin cleaning tool.  I intend to convince the powers that be to both invite you to teach your class about this device, and to treat our instructors with the respect and compensation they so rightfully deserve, that is, after I have solved world hunger and brought a meaningful peace to our planet (so it may not be until after lunch ;-).
> 
> 
> In the mean time, is it, "No class, no tool talk"? 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> 
> Alan Eder
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joseph Garrett <joegarrett at earthlink.net>
> To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>; Tuckerdrez <Tuckerdrez at gmail.com>
> Sent: Sun, Sep 4, 2011 9:20 am
> Subject: [pianotech] Key Pin Cleaner Tool - was break away sound- - - - -
> 
> 
> I said: "I use Elmer's Slide All after
> cleaning the pins with my super speedy key pin cleaner.<G> GAAA (a new
> thangee)." 
> Laura said: "Do tell. This is a tool that I am interested in."
> 
> Well, then, ya need to convince the powers that be to allow me to give the
> class. In that class I'd demonstrate the way I MADE it and how it is used,
> (quite efficient, I might add. Clean and polish the entire set in less than
> 1/2 hour!) And then there is the special tool that I designed for
> straightening the confounded oval front rail pins, so that they are exactly
> straight, front to back.<G> That tool does it's trick in less than 15
> minutes and does not damage the key pin! Go figger.<G>
> Oh, and while your at it, try and convince the powers that be, that they
> need to compensate Instructors a helluva lot better than they currently
> are! Just my take on it.<G>
> Joe
> 
> P.S. 
> I also have a "Magic Line" Tool that will be in production soon.
> (hopefully, I'll be able to get the Machinist off of his lazy duff.<G>
> 
> 
> Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
> Captain of the Tool Police
> Squares R I