David: What blend of analine dyes to you find works best to match the color of old keys? David Love davidlovepianos@earthlink.net > [Original Message] > From: David C. Stanwood <stanwood@tiac.net> > To: <pianotech@ptg.org> > Date: 5/22/2004 6:37:28 AM > Subject: Re: Plugging capstan holes > > 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 > _______________________________________________ > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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