<!doctype html public "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <html><head><style type="text/css"></style><title>Re: [CAUT] Key leveling stick??</title></head><body> <div>Hello all!</div> <div><br></div> <div>I figured out a way to make a curved key leveling stick using a table saw. Let me "splain":</div> <div><br></div> <div>I built a 50" wooden fixture with a 48" piece of angled aluminum fixed at both ends with a slot cut in the middle and toggle clamps on each end of the fixture to hold the blank in place. The angled edge of the aluminum faces the blade.</div> <div><br></div> <div>The center of the aluminum is pushed towards the saw blade 1 to 2 mm and locked in place. I then take a square and straight piece of wood, 48" x 1 1/2" x 5/16" and attach it to the jig with the toggle clamps, squaring it against the bowed out aluminum edge. When the clamps are engaged, the outside edge of the stick is under tension and bowed out towards the blade, following the contour of the aluminum. I then run the jig through the saw blade against the saw fence and cut it square. When the tension is released, the stick springs back to its original position, leaving you with a perfectly beveled edge on one side and a straight edge on the other. Works every time and the amount of bevel is adjustable.</div> <div><br></div> <div>Tom</div> <div><br></div> <blockquote type="cite" cite>On Sep 22, 2005, at 7:31 PM, Fred Sturm wrote:</blockquote> <blockquote type="cite" cite><br> <blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Helvetica">I use a piece of aluminum angle (channel, or other configurations will do)</font><br> </blockquote> <blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Helvetica">cut to length. A lot cheaper, nice and light weight. </font><br> </blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote type="cite" cite><br></blockquote> <blockquote type="cite" cite>I have a 4' aluminum ruler that I've always used and gotten decent results with.  But when I came here, the shop already had one of the crowned wooden keysticks.  I just like using it much better.  It's lighter, faster to work with and I don't have to worry about gouging the piano cabinet with the sharp metal edges.  I don't know why, but I also prefer the sound of the key clicking against a wooden stick over the tink of the aluminum.</blockquote> <blockquote type="cite" cite><br></blockquote> <blockquote type="cite" cite>to each his own I suppose</blockquote> <blockquote type="cite" cite><br></blockquote> <blockquote type="cite" cite>Jeff</blockquote> <div><br></div> </body> </html>