keytop trimming (HELP!)

[Greg Newell]

Roger,
         This helps LOTS! Thanks!!!

Greg Newell

At 05:28 PM 6/10/2002, you wrote:

>Hi Greg,
>             Now here is a way to get them factory perfect every time, 
> with perfect notches and corners.
>
>1. Rough down the excess with a 1" belt sander to minimize filing. Leaving 
>a slight over hang.
>2. Get 1/2" file and grind the sides so that you have a polished surface 
>that will not cut. When you file the corners there will be no material 
>removed from the adjacent side. File and dress the long sides first. Draw 
>filing will give you the smoothest cut.( Note: safety files that have been 
>purchased do not have polished sides so be careful)
>3. Fit the natural keys into the key frame, and clamp a 48" steel straight 
>edge to the two end keys with two small C clamps.  File straight down, 
>using you straight edge as a stop fence. Gee a no brainer.
>4. Reposition the straight edge about 1/8" back from the previous position 
>and file a nice bevel to match the sides.
>5. Glue some 600 grit wet and dry to a small maple slat and use as a file 
>to polish out any file marks to finish.
>6. Warning: unless the keys have been re bushed it's easy the gaps screwed 
>up between B/C and E/F A couple of tricks.  A) Use an awl to spring the BR 
>forward and out of the BRcup that has formed in the bushing cloth.  B) 
>turn the front rail pins so there is minimum side play.
>
>Better yet sell a re bushing job along with the key re covering.
>
>Hope this helps some
>Roger
>

Greg Newell
mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net