[pianotech] Applying PVC-E to new plastic keytops

[Mike Morvan]

List,

    Our website is not off the air, our slideshows section is being updated 
and the rest of the site is being updated as well (behind the scenes).



We have found the following while working with keytops:

1. Clamping is absolutely necessary, disregard the fact that it is a keytop 
to be glued down. It could be thought of as the same process as laminating, 
veneering, or face gluing. Clamping is necessary.

2. Pvc-e glue is not a gap filling glue, therefore like most other non gap 
filling glues it must be squeezed down to a thin even layer to develop its 
greatest potential strength. Finger pressure, elastic bands, tape, and 
gravity do not have enough clamping pressure nor do they distribute the 
pressure evenly.

3. Pvc-e glue has a very high water content which causes the grain to rise; 
this grain raise is overcome by clamping.

4. Glue sizing is a great habit to get into, it prevents a glue starved 
joint. I would suggest to glue size with the same glue that is to be used to 
glue down the tops, not a different one.

5. There are better glues available for keytops than pvc-e.

6. It is difficult and requires much research to find the best tools or 
supplies for a particular job; these however, if found are the most coveted 
and least available; as evidenced by the many custom made tools and fixtures 
occasionally posted to this list that are not readily available.

Happy Holidays, Mike



BLACKSTONE VALLEY PIANO
Michael A. Morvan
76 Sutton Street
Uxbridge, Ma 01569
(508) 278-9762
www.pianoandorgankeys.com
mike at pianoandorgankeys.com
www.thepianorebuilders.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Jackson" <scottwaynejackson at gmail.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 10:05 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Applying PVC-E to new plastic keytops


>I was going to suggest having a look at Michael Morvan's wonderful info at:
> http://www.pianoandorgankeys.com/sspadmin/slideshow.html
> but it looks like it is off the air :-(
>
> Scott Jackson
>
> Duane McGuire wrote:
>> What techniques do you use for applying PVC-E and clamping? On
>