Jon: I haven't found drill drift to be a problem with this epoxy. When mixed with their fileting blend it seems to lower the density such that a good, short, brad point drill stays on track. I generally agree with using cut plugs to fill holes. But in the case of the capstan, if I'm moving it or changing the angle, I'm not usually moving it very far so that most of the material I'm filling the hole with is going to be drilled back out. There may be a small collar showing on one side or the other but visually it is not really a factor. The issue is speed. Cutting plugs and filling the old holes takes, as you mentioned, about 4-6 hours. I can usually plug the old holes in about 1 hour with the epoxy. I use the 30 minute epoxy and use a plunger type glue applicator (disposable) and cut off the tip at the widest point possible so that it just fits over the capstan hole. I mix it generously with the fileting blend paying attention to the overall viscosity so that I can get it through the applicator. Then just go down the line fill the holes (Getting the stuff into the applicator is a bit of a pain). Overfill the hole slightly. The viscosity and cohesive property will prevent it from spreading out. When the epoxy firms up but before it hardens completely, slice off the excess with a razor blade. When it is fully hardened you can dress the surface lightly with sandpaper if you want. David Love >From: Jon Page <jonpage@mediaone.net> >Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org >To: pianotech@ptg.org >Subject: Plugging Capstan holes (was:Re: West Systems Epoxy?) >Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2001 09:16:00 -0500 > >At 04:11 AM 03/18/2001 +0000, you wrote: > >>I get it from Pianotek and it comes in 30 minute or 5 minute cure >>rates. I use both depending on the repair. It comes clear clear and you >>can also get a fileting blend from them to thicken it which gives it a >>sort of wood color. In this form it is sometimes used for filling holes >>(e.g old capstan holes if you are moving the line). > >Filling capstan holes with epoxy has a few negative effects: cure time, >messy, different density to the keystick >causing drill bit drift. > >I have altered many lines, most only needing to have the capstan angle >corrected rather than relocated. The method >which I have found to be most expedient is to plug the hole with a plug cut >from an old key. Purchase a 1/4" x 1" plug >cutter from the hardware store. Scribe a line on the key to index grain >orientation. Drill the plugs almost all the way thru the key but leave them >attached and either chip them out or run the bottom on a band saw. Drill >1/4" hole in the key, apply glue (PVA or similar), insert plug (align >scribe mark - down). When all the plugs are installed, trim flush and drill >the new capstan holes, install capstans. The whole process takes 4 to 6 >hours, excluding plug cutting time; these are done in bulk ahead of time >and kept on hand. I have enough cut for about four keyboards. > >The old keysticks can also be used to cut plugs for filling the hole left >when removing key leads. Woodworkers >Catalogues supply different plug cutters. For the straight plugs, use the >self-ejecting cutters. These plugs are >cut through the key completely. I cut plugs from the head also giving me >long plugs to insert into wider keys. >Also get the tapered plug cutters, these neatly plug the holes on leads >which did not go all the way through the key. >Again, these are not cut completely through the key but can be pushed >out. Orient the grain with the key at >installation. > >I have found that if a key lead hole needs to be sized prior to plug >installation that a bit which is 1/64" smaller >makes the neatest product. Grainger.com has these bits. > >>I also use it for sizing stripped holes in the hammer or whippen flange >>rail. Dries hard but you can work with it. >>Lots of uses--good stuff. >> >>David Love > >I keep West Systems epoxy on hand for many projects. I also use Epo-Tek 301 >water thin epoxy for certain >application, often adding West Systems additives and fillers. > >Regards, > >Jon Page, piano technician >Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass. >mailto:jonpage@mediaone.net >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC