I hear that about getting back lousy work. That’s why I do it as well. I
do take a lot of care to be sure that the key is held down square. The best
clamping solution would be to have another piece of angle or flat iron on
the clamp side that somehow slides up against that side of the key so that
the clamp actually pushes against another piece of iron whose upward
movement is restricted (if you follow that). Then you would have two pieces
of flat iron parallel to each other and perpendicular to the key bed hold
the key in place with the pressure from the clamp not directly on the key
itself. I’m always happiest when the piano needs a new set of keys. The
other thing to consider is that keys do warp sometimes and it may not be
your system that is at fault.
David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Greg Newell
Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 3:58 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Key wood prep....was....Applying PVC-E
I’ve done all this that you suggest except replace the rubber button from
the toggle clamp. I’ve considered it before. Perhaps next set I’ll do that
to give it a try. Have tried more clamp pressure, less clamp pressure,
definitely parallel rails to platform. I remade that part twice now with
different materials. I replaced the right angle piece that supports the side
of the key with a heavy angle iron. Last effort frustrated me enough to send
me out and get the rotary planer. I’d really like to get this set up to work
though as it’s rather fast when it works. I hate key work too. I got into it
out of necessity though. The last set I sent out came back with 2 broken
keysticks.
Greg Newell
Greg's Piano Forté
www.gregspianoforte.com
216-226-3791 (office)
216-470-8634 (mobile)
http://www.wealthyaffiliate.com?a_aid=NNaYfMKd
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Love
Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 6:46 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Key wood prep....was....Applying PVC-E
First make sure that it was set up right and that the guides are parallel to
the key platform. You have to adjust the clamp tension just right so that
it holds things in place but doesn’t push the key over on its side a bit.
Too much tension there can create a problem. Of course, not enough and it
can move but it doesn’t really take that much to hold it in place since
you’re not usually taking off very much material. You might consider
replacing the rubber bumper on the clamp with something slightly firmer. Be
sure that you don’t have a key bushing protruding beyond the bottom level of
the key so it can’t sit flat on the platform. I tend to do this operation
after I’ve removed the old bushing but before I’ve put in the new ones.
Bottom line, I hate key work.
David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Greg Newell
Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2010 3:16 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Key wood prep....was....Applying PVC-E
David,
I have one of these and find it horrible to work with. I
consistently get a slanted top after running the router over the keytop. Any
ideas as to what my problem might be? Ugh, perhaps that’s too open ended.
Any guess as to what I might be doing wrong with this set up? Thanks!
Greg Newell
Greg's Piano Forté
www.gregspianoforte.com
216-226-3791 (office)
216-470-8634 (mobile)
http://www.wealthyaffiliate.com?a_aid=NNaYfMKd
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Love
Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 10:15 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Key wood prep....was....Applying PVC-E
I use this set up with a router. Just the router base is pictured but you
adjust the router in the base to get the depth of cut you want.
David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of erwinspiano at aol.com
Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 5:59 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Key wood prep....was....Applying PVC-E
On a different subject, how do all of you mill and prepare the top of the
key prior to gluing on tops.
Dale Erwin
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