[pianotech] key bushing problem

[David Ilvedson]

Yeah, the mortice sizing with the hot hide wash...VERY IMPORTANT...I get bushing cloth from everyone I can...Schaff, Pianotek, Renner...I need more sources.   Jurgen, might have bushing cloth.

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "John Formsma" <formsma at gmail.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 1/26/2010 7:30:39 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] key bushing problem


>David, I'd say you need a thicker cloth. However, it sounds as if you have
>only three different sizes. (Thin, medium, and thick. ??) You might need a
>larger variety of thicknesses. Are you using the mortise sizing cauls?

>The first couple of times I did rebushing, it turned out the way you
>describe. Those times I did not use the mortise sizing cauls. Now I do, and
>most of those problems have gone away. And, I've learned (by trial and
>error) how tight the caul needs to feel with the new cloth. It's definitely
>a "feel" thing. Firm, but not difficult to press in. The way I do it, one
>can lift up the key (at least slightly) by picking up on the caul stuck in
>the mortise. You don't want it jammed in there, but it must be firm.

>I have the 6 different thicknesses of cloth from either Spurlock or
>Pianotek, but normally one size fits all now that the mortise sizing cauls
>are used. I think it's the #2 cloth.

>I don't do rebushing as regularly as some, but it usually turns out quite
>well now that I've learned what not to do. :-)

>--
>JF

>On Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 8:08 PM, David Nereson <da88ve at gmail.com> wrote:

>>   I rebushed a set of keys using the nylon Spurlock cauls. The pins were
>> .146" so I used that size caul.  When done, the keys still wobbled laterally
>> (balance rail).  This has happened a couple times now.  I had done no easing
>> or ironing after removing the cauls.  Should I have used a smaller caul
>> (even tho' the size I used is meant for that size pin) or thicker bushing
>> cloth?  Or both?  When I initially determined what thickness cloth to use,
>> by laying the trial cloth across the mortise and pushing a key pin into the
>> hole, thick seemed way too tight.  Medium was just right (could be pushed
>> in, but holding the key upside down, the pin would not fall out -- this is
>> according to the Spurlock directions).
>>   Once I steamed 'em all back out and rebushed with thicker cloth, but
>> using the same cauls, and they still came out too loose (too much lateral
>> play).  So do you use a smaller caul than the one intended for a given size
>> pin?
>>   --David Nereson, RPT
>>