key pin lubrication

[jolly roger]

Hi Newton,
            I would like to echo your sentiments on the topic.   The Pro
Lub has a polymer designed to adhere to the metal, and retard oxidization,
as well as being low friction.  For low friction, also iron the bushing
cloth with a warm iron, to lay the nap down and set the felt.  ( Caul's
availiable from Piano Tech)
I will also add, fitting the balance rail hole correctly, is also of great
importance.
With out this being done correctly, any weight off is meaningless.   When
rebuilding an action, we complete the keybed work first, with the old
action parts, to do our touch weight analysis.   This makes sense to me, to
remove one of the variables before making other changes.

Regards Roger




At 01:10 PM 10/31/01 -0500, you wrote:
>> Should lubrication really be 
>> needed on a properly set up keyboard?
>
>In performance venues absolutely.  Lubrication will quintuple the useful
>life expectancy of bushings.
>
>> New/polished pins, new
>> properly sized bushings,
>
>I want maximum performance and maximum durability.  If the pins are
>pitted, nicked or deplating then they must be replaced.  Good condition
>and new pins will need to be Flitzed then lubricated.
>
>> Can I assume that any need for lubrication is because
>> the piano owner is not willing to spend the money to do the
>> job right - or the tech does not know how to minimize friction?
>
>You must assume only that all pins have a certain level of oxidation
>upon them even if you polished them just five minutes ago.  Even new
>pins out of the box.
>
>There should be no measurable, tenths of grams, friction in the key and
>the only way to acquire such a state is to fit each key individually,
>one at a time, polish the pins, with Flitz or something similar, and
>lubricate them with something like Protek, McLube or teflon powder.
>
>Then you can make assumptions.
>
>If you establish a clean, fit, polish, lube procedure for every keyboard
>your result consistency will go up many times for the better.
>
>I know this job is a real pin in the arse (and fingers) but I do it
>anyway.  I _hate_ the job but hate the results of not doing it even
>more.
>
>In doing quality regulations or restorations there are certain steps
>that may not, ever, be ignored.  This is one of those.
>
>So, if you do the work you get the result.  (new Newtonism :))
>
>Have a nice boo night.
>
>		Newton
>