[pianotech] Applying PVC-E to new plastic keytops

[David Love]

I press it down gently first to get  squeeze out and then wipe the excess
off the sides before setting the key down so that the glue isn't running
down onto the platform.  I do use PVC-E and haven't had any problems with
it.   A light clamping is all that's necessary and on tops with molded
fronts this particular clamping arrangements holds the fronts securely to
the front of the key while the glue sets. 

On the glue subject I imagine there are other glues that work well, maybe
better, but I've not had a reason to look further so I haven't.  I don't
care to use contact cement as I find the failure rate high and the glue
itself can mar the surface of the keytop if it gets on there.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Greg Newell
Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 9:29 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Applying PVC-E to new plastic keytops

David,
	This seems a good idea for holding key top and key in place but, in
your experience, is placing the two under the spring enough to provide
squeeze out by itself or do you squeeze excess out before placing under the
spring? 

Greg Newell
Greg's Piano Forté
www.gregspianoforte.com
216-226-3791 (office)
216-470-8634 (mobile)
http://www.wealthyaffiliate.com?a_aid=NNaYfMKd


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Love
Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 11:40 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Applying PVC-E to new plastic keytops

Why would that be necessary?  The key goes in the clamp with the keytop side
down to the flat wooden surface (usually covered with a piece of felt so as
not to scratch the keytop) so the direct pressure from the spring is on the
bottom of the key.  The span of the keytop is short enough to preclude any
flexing from pressure in the middle.  The wooden bar to which the springs
are attaché is raised just slightly off the surface of the platform, just
enough that the lip of the keytop can slide under it and the front is then
pressed up against the wooden bar to insure that the front is clamped as
well.  



David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com


David Love's simpler spring clamps should work just fine. The only change I
would make to that system if I  made it would be  to raise the clamp bar so
you could fit a relieved caul under the clamp.
A relieved caul does not contact the key in the center portion of the key,
only at the ends. That way the pressure applied by the spring at the center
of the key is actually applied at the front and back of the key/keytop not
the middle.


Jim I
Grandpianosolutions.com(almost launched)