Ray, Oft-times, on these REALLY OLDE pianers, I work on, the original front rail punchings are really quite thin, (like "Thin" Action Cloth thin). So, I get out my trusty 3/4" or 7/8" Front Rail Arch Punch and pound out a set. This "Arch Punch" is the way to go. I got the 3/4" one from Fletcher & Newman, Ltd., in England. I inherited the 7/8" one from a now defunct Piano Store/Shop. (Made by Lyon & Healy! Does that tell you how olde that one is?) These two punches cut the outer diameter and the center hole all in one swell foop, er one fell swoop! Of course you could just get one large arch punch and one small one and do them in a two step process. Another way that olde makers did the front rail, was with a continuous strip of the appropriate thickness of action cloth, (one strip for the naturals and one for the sharps). They punched the hole in the strip to match the pin spacing. This could be done with a "leather punch", which has a wheel, with several sized punches that can be selected. (It looks like a very large pair of pliers with the punch wheel attached to one jaw and an "anvil" attached to the other jaw. Just a few thoughts. The latter is not my favorite way, but it is a way. Best Regards, Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon) Squares Need Love Too!<G>
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