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<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>Ed,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>A router is no more dangerous than
any other shop tool. As with everything, know what you are doing and use
appropriate safety measures. Your method works, and I'm not suggesting you
change if you get the results you want. Using a router with a flush trim
bit works so well for me to very quickly get the bulk of the top trimmed
to the side of the key. I finish up with fine sandpaper and the buffing
wheel. For the notch I built the spurlock jig, and it is fantastic!!
It's pretty nice to have a set of keytops come out with all the notches on
exactly the same line, even without having the keyframe for reference.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2>William R. Monroe</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style" size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Shawn-</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Those keytops are hard, and take longer to file
than other brands, but it's worth it for the result.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Imagine for a moment what it will cost you if you
overcut just one of the keytops, and you will se the value of patience in this
job.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Glue some Tri-X sandpaper onto 1/4 inch plywood
paddles, about 3 inches wide. Make sure the paper is glued down tight and
flat. Make sure it comes right to the edge of the wood, and doesn't
overlap the edge.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Make100 grit for fast cutting and 200 grit for
finishing. The broad, flat paddles will prevent gouging and curving in on the
sides, which can happen with a narrow file.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Use a bench vise to hold the key. Glue action
cloth to the vise jaw so it doesn't scratch the keytops.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Clamp the key in the vise, with the keytop
against the jaw and the side you're filing almost flush with the tops of the
jaws. Hold the file almost parallel to the side of the key. Make 2 or 3 passes
and check your progress. Soon you'll be able to feel the moment when the
paddle is just starting to scrape the wood.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dealing with the notch is hard to describe in
writing. After filing, I often use a very sharp knife to trim the corner of
the notch.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>(Don't use a router. It's a very dangerous tool,
and you don't get a second chance.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ed Sutton</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=shawnbrock@fuse.net href="mailto:shawnbrock@fuse.net">Shawn
Brock</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, October 29, 2008 12:51
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> trimming new keytops</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>List,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>can anyone give me an idea for the most
accurate and least costly way of trimming new keytops? I have
installed the German one peace tops and fronts sold by Pianotek and now need
to perform the worse part of the job... Filing these is a time
consuming activity! So I'm thinking the obvious thing to do is cut the
tops flush with the side of the key and round off the edges and corners
afterward. I don't have a router and don't really want to get one, so
how about a Dremel? Would that work worth a darn? Any
suggestions? I have no plans of going into the keytop business but I
have two other pianos that need tops and I'm to cheap to send the work
out. The way I see it is I have the time so why not just keep that
extra money I would spend to farm the work out. Thanks as
always!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Shawn Brock, RPT</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>513-316-0563</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="http://www.shawnbrock.com">www.shawnbrock.com</A></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>