To Phil & all, Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth. I'm all for epoxy filling of capstan and key lead holes... For Capstans we use the 410 microlite filler but instead of West Epoxy we much prefer Epoxy #301 from Epotek. This is the lowest viscosity epoxy I've found (it's used for gluing optics....) We mix in the #410 so you can just pour into a syringe. It seems to handle better with less chance for voids than the West epoxy and it doesn't smell as bad. For situations when the new capstan hole is partly in the old hole, the epoxy fill has a similar density to spruce or pine so the drill won't tend to skew as it would if you use a hammer shank plug. BUT! If the capstan is mounted in a hardwood shoe then the epoxy fill won't work to well... When you drill and drive, the hole and capstan will skew towards the softer epoxy and you will loose your positioning. In this case we fill the bottom of the hole with the epoxy then drill out the shoe portion and plug with a cross grain wood such as the shoe is made of, usually beech... a 1/4" plug cutter is easily found for making the plugs... For key lead holes when using the West or Epotek #301 with #410 filler, the epoxy tends to bleed into the surface of the key next to the hole which is unsightly. For key lead holes we use an epoxy putty which has a similar density as spruce... The are a number of these on the market.. The one we use is made by Abatron. You can add aniline dye to the mix to match the color to the key.... The Abatron putty is light and very tough. It adheres very well and I'm sure the key is stronger for using it instead of wood plugs... Here's a picture: http://www.stanwoodpiano.com/woodepoxplug.jpg One may also use the Abatron for capstan holes.. You have to drill a small hole through the bottom of the key to allow for air to get out, then push the putty down into the hole.... leave high and sand off.... Good Luck! David Stanwood WoodEpox 2 quart kit http://www.shopabatron.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=Abat ron&Category_Code=1100000 Available from: Abatron 5501 - 95th Ave. Kenosha, WI 53144, U.S.A. Phone: (1-800) 445-1754 (within the USA only), or (1-262) 653-2000). http://www.abatron.com Epotek #301 available from: Epoxy Technology in Billirica, MA PHONE 800 227 2201 FAX 978 663 9782 http://www.epotek.com
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