Self-ejecting plug cutters: was plugging capstan holes

[Farrell]

Pianotek sells pre-cut plugs for key lead holes. Just another option.

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2001 11:52 AM
Subject: Re: Self-ejecting plug cutters: was plugging capstan holes


> Jon:
>
> Where do you get self-ejecting plug cutters (I assume you mean that they
> eject the plug after they are cut).  I've been looking for something like
> that for awhile to speed up production cutting of plugs for plugging old
> lead holes in the key.  Thanks for the input.
>
> 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
> >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >
>
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