[pianotech] back rail cloth, (was of replacing keytops)

[David Love]

I don't use the oil board.  I establish the thickness with two pieces of
felt, the main piece on which the keys rest and an underfelt of varying
thickness just as in the original.  It's the combined thickness that matters
I don't necessarily try and duplicate the original thickness of one or the
other.  The liner felt is also glued only along the front edge.  Can't speak
for Ed.

 

David Love

www.davidlovepianos.com

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Paul Milesi
Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 10:42 AM
To: PTG Pianotech List
Subject: Re: [pianotech] back rail cloth, (was of replacing keytops)

 

Ed & David,

Interesting difference of experience here.  Now I guess I get to choose
which way I go!  Does leaving the back edge unglued mean the oil board will
move around or fall out if the piano is moved?  Can that be the reason for
gluing both edges: to hold the oil board in place when there is one (which I
gather isn't always the case)?

Paul
-- 
Paul Milesi, RPT
Washington, DC
(202) 667-3136
E-mail:  paul at pmpiano.com
Website:  http://www.pmpiano.com



  _____  

From: David Love <davidlovepianos at comcast.net>
Reply-To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:50:09 -0800
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] back rail cloth, (was of replacing keytops)

I prefer to leave the back edge unglued.  I'm not even sure that the key
level wouldn't be just slightly more stable that way.  If the cloth expands
and it's glued at both edges then it will be more prone to "crowning" a bit.
Unglued at the back is definitely quieter, I find.
 
David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com
 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Ed Foote
Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 8:40 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] back rail cloth, (was of replacing keytops)

Dale writes: 

 >>BTW All vintage Steinway had the back rail glued on both sides. We still
put it back that way.  There is always an underlayment of  red felt &
sometimes a shim of the  red colored oil board that Steinway has used
forever. The back of the key always stops precisely with out bounce and the
hammer line doesn't wander


  I am not sure about the "all" part of this.   My experience with many
Steinways from before 1920 is that the back rail cloth is usually not glued
at the back. I am speaking of untouched pianos.  I haven't noticed any less
stability with it done this way, and, it seems to lessen the noise. 
Regards, 
Ed Foote RPT

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