Great tip David.
Al G
From: David Love
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 10:21 PM
To: tunerryan at yahoo.com ; pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Onesti Balance hole repair system
Yes. It works well and I have used it successfully several times but there are some things to consider. When the job is done you want to be sure that the front of the keys are indexed to each other so that they all perfectly aligned without any creeping forward (or back). Since pulley keys by definition have an elongated balance rail hole, finding exactly where the indexed center of that hole is can be tricky. Rather than using all the different sized pilot tools to measure the size of the hole for each individual key I think it is preferable to glue a balance rail punching to the bottom of the key and then set the keys on the key frame and make sure they are perfectly aligned while the glue dries. Then when you remove the key you will only need a single pilot to locate the center of the glued on punching. The seating tool (the cutter that cuts the hole in the bottom of the key to receive the insert) will easily remove the punching from the bottom of the key in the process of cutting.
On the last job I did the felt punchings were in very good shape and tight to the balance rail pin and if you use a card or paper punching it must be snug to the balance rail pin with no play. Since my intention was to replace the felt punching anyway, I simply took each key off, put a spot of glue around the hole and set the key back on the punching carefully aligning the fronts of the keys as I went down the row. After a couple of minutes I lifted each key up with the punching now a attached to the bottom of the key which I used as a guide for the pilot tool. I simply chose a pilot tool that was easily centered over the hole in the punching. This method is, I believe faster than indexing each key with a pilot tool and it has the benefit of allowing you to index the front of the keys at the same time. The question then arises whether or not you need all 20 pilot tools. I'll let each person answer that for themselves.
Other than that, a laminate flush trim router bit for the sides of the key and a sharp chisel (is there any other kind) to level the insert to the bottom of the key and you're in business. A cross vise is nice, otherwise you need something to brace the key against while cutting.
David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Ryan Sowers
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 5:03 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Onesti Balance hole repair system
I'm considering paying the $555 for Onesti's balance hole repair system but would like to talk to someone who has had some experience with it. When I looked into this a while back it seemed like the best method. Anyone tried it?
Thanks!
-Ryan Sowers, RPT
Puget Sound Chapter
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