Hi Ralph, Re working some one's poor workmanship is always a challenge, but I can offer a simple solution for a broken key. Use CA glue on the end grain and press the break together, pre-tape the sides of the two adjacent keys with pvc electrical tape. You can use the two keys as a guide to ensure that you don't have a 'dog leg' joint. the tape will prevent the keys from sticking together. This end grain joint will be quite weak, but will be strong enough to allow you to glue and clamp two pieces of veneer about 3" long and the width of the key over the cracks, sand the veneer to have adaquate clearance. I use Birch veneer it's very strong, cheap and white, it matches the cheaper bass wood keys that seem to cause the most trouble. Finally rebush the key, and size the B/R hole if required. You should end up with a perfect fit every time. Sounds a little complicated but it only take's 15-20 mins. Drying time excluded. Regards Roger At 11:06 AM 14/11/98 -0500, you wrote: >I have a client who owns an 18 year old Ivers And Pond upright that has a >broken key. It is broken at the balance rail hole and has been repaired by >another person. This person glued the parts back together and glued/nailed a >portion of white plastic keytop along one side of the key as a reinforcement. >This "reinforcement" has cracked under the strain of playing and I am left >with the repair job. The question is, would Weldbond be the better glue choice >for the repair? And would a piece of ivory keytop (of which I have some) serve >as an adequte reinforcement or would it be better to use thin veneer. This is >an instrument that is in rather poor condition but it's all the family has and >can afford. > >Thanks, >Ralph Black >Nashville > Roger Jolly Baldwin Yamaha Piano Centre Saskatoon and Regina Saskatchewan, Canada. 306-665-0213 Fax 652-0505
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