Old Steinway leather lid buttons

[BobDavis88]

[from Marcia Davis]

My husband Bob asked me to respond to Paul Kupelian's question regarding
leather buttons on Steinways. Although his question was originally posted to
the caut list, I thought it might be of enough general interest to post it to
both caut and pianotech.

Though a little time-consuming, installing leather buttons is very
straightforward, and the results are quite classy.

Get a scrap of suede about 0.040" thick, and a circle punch set from a craft
or leather supply (Tandy Leather). Water dyes are available from places such
as Constantine's, 2050 Eastchester Rd., Bronx, NY 10461, (800) 223-8087. Order
Walnut and Black.

Mix the powdered dye with water, using proportions suggested for strong color.
Apply to a piece of the suede with a brush until you like the color. Allow to
dry.

For the large 1/2" buttons, such as on the lid, punch out a 5/8" circle and a
3/8" circle. You will use the 1/2" punch to set the button into the recess in
the wood. Take the 1/2" punch and push the 5/8" leather piece into it, dyed
side down, to form a nice rounded dent. Make certain that the very edges of
the leather are not pushed in beyond the edge of the punch. They should barely
stick out. 

With hot hide glue, attach the 3/8" piece into the center of the dent in the
5/8" piece. Rim the edge of the larger piece of leather with hot hide glue,
and set it into the recess in the wood. Use a toothpick to coax the button out
of the punch, and to tuck all its stray edges down into the recess. The punch
can be used for coaxing, too.

With this method, you are not drilling out the wood to accomodate a different
type of button, and the results are every bit as good as the original.

For the tiny buttons, such as on the keyblocks, just change the size of your
circles. The process is the same. The various sizes of circles can be punched
out ahead of time and kept in a plastic bag for later use.

Leather buttons last indefinitely, unlike rubber ones, which squash out. Once
you point out the care you take putting in original style buttons, your
customers never will be satisfied with anything less.

Good luck,
Marcia Davis
Stockton, CA