[CAUT] key-easing pliers?

[Fred Sturm]

Hi Mark,
    Getting back to the original question, I like the Pianotek JKE-2 and
similar best (I've bought maybe 8 different designs over the years,
including parallel, etc). I don't find them tiring. A lot has to do with
exactly how wide the handles are while squeezing, and these fit my hand/feel
best. The KPL-4f style are great to have for the purpose (not enough time to
pull the stack, and you need to ease a few), but I don't like them for
general use. Partly because the squeezing part is 1/2 - 2/3 the length of
the mortise, so you really need to do 2 squeezes to each. Sometimes this is
an advantage, when the wood is hard to squeeze - you can be more precise.
But not for everyday, I don't think.
    Bottom line, though, is precision sizing (selecting) of bushings trumps
easing any day, if you are the one doing the bushing (not that we don't need
to do a bit of touch up from time to time). Especially true when bushing
those hard wood buttons on Kawai and others, which don't want to budge with
pliers.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico


On 7/19/07 10:20 AM, "Mark Cramer" <Cramer at brandonu.ca> wrote:

> Since we seem to be rebushing with leather more often, the easing pliers are
> getting a bit of use.
> 
> (Especially when the thickness of a "good" strip of leather can vary by
> .2mm... or more)
> 
> We really should have another set of easing pliers, but I'm finding the
> selection a bit confusing. i.e.:
> 
> Pianotek: JKE-2 Japanese pliers:
> 
> I like the "spartan, bare-bones" appearance, and don't mind the price for a
> quality tool ($105.00), but w/o springs or lever action, wonder if they're
> kind of tiring to use?
> 
> Renner: #1616 (compound/parallel/front-rail access) $120.00
> 
> I'm leaning towards these, but would they be a nuisance for the balance
> rail?
> 
> (they look quite similar to the Pianotek KPL-4f @ $96.00)
> 
> Of all the features I've seen (parallel action, front-rail access, pivoting
> center-jaw, etc.) all that's really important to me is something that is
> comfortable to use, and sensitive enough to make fine adjustments. I would
> also choose versatility over specialty.
> 
> Can anyone offer some "seasoned" recommendations?
> 
> thanks!
> 
> Mark Cramer,
> Brandon University
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>