<html> At 09:47 AM 10/12/2001 -0400, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite cite><blockquote type=cite cite>Has anyone used an electric planer for dealing with removing the top layer of keytops when replacing ivories with plastic?  Every reference I've found suggests using a router instead.  Just curious. Todd McNamee, Portland, OR</blockquote>I also use the Wagner planer in the drill press.  I have very few problems with chipping the edges.  Just be aware of the direction of the rotation.  It's best to cut into the wood instead of away from it. Also, I don't think it is important to take away a lot of the surface of the key top.  I remove the key top and then use the planer to clean off old glue and get a clean, even, and square surface. One more thing, don't try to cut too much in one pass.  I find it works better to make a couple of passes. chris</blockquote> The surface of the key needs to be planed deeper because the plastic keytop is thicker than the ivory. If you do not plane deeper, then the sharp keysticks are too high above the naturals resulting in drastically acute angles which will affect the physics of the keystroke, aggrevating the difference between sharps and naturals. Another glitch is not needed. I use a 3/4" plunge router bit (Woodworker's Supply) in a drill press. The key is held in a drill press vise with appropriate stops. Regards, Jon Page,   piano technician Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass. <a href="mailto:jonpage2001@mediaone.net" eudora="autourl">mailto:</a>jonpage2001<a href="mailto:jonpage2001@mediaone.net" eudora="autourl">@mediaone.net</a> <a href="http://www.stanwoodpiano.com/" eudora="autourl">http://www.stanwoodpiano.com</a> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</html>