[CAUT] S&S Key Bushings

[Jim Busby]

Thanks Chris,

Glad to hear Eric is not wasting away there! Wish I could have been there...

I've ordered some VSP and will try it out here in our "laboratory" of 420 pianos.
If it can prolong bushing life on our practice room pianos (17 hours per day use) then if will be well worth it because every 3 years or so we rebush.

As Ric says, Cheers!
Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Chris Solliday
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 10:21 AM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: [CAUT] S&S Key Bushings

Hi Jim,
Sorry I was out of email shot for ten days. I just got back from Nordisk
Pianotreff in Esbjerg, Denmark where we had a great time (the Danes were
wonderful hosts) and got to meet Ric Brekne up close and personal right down
to the bottom of the aquavit glass. He's not at all the fire breathing
dragon we might have imagined from some of his posts. He is, however, a
formidable piano technician with great attention to detail. We also had a
fine time with Eric Schandall who is happily married and enjoying life in
Norway. The pictures of his back porch were particularly idyllic. He is
thriving and in great spirits. He gave a great class on Henry Steinway which
was enjoyed by all.
 Those were the highlights for me, oh did I mention the pickled fish, the
cheese and the bier? Yeah they were great too.
Anyway in my absence VSProfelt seems to have been pretty well discussed. All
I can add is that the actual formula (from Bob Marinelli) is secret but
during a particularly fuzzy moment I was able to get it out of him that
basically it is formulatred with water, alchohol, soap (or fabric softener,
I might be confusing this with an equally fuzzy conference with Wally Brooks
and his solution for Abel bushing sizing, but either soap or softener) and
less than 1% silicon based lubricant. I don't think the small amount of lube
will disturb the gluing surface of the wood for future gluings of new
bushings, nor have I seen any problem to date. Since this technique for
renewing old bushings with one or two drops of VS and a proper sized cold
caul left overnight is less than one year old I think that some of the
clamor over the possible ruining of the wood gluing surface may be
theoretical "hysteria." Frankly I don't see how one or two drops with only
less than 1% lube in the mix applied every couple of years can be a
distinguishable problem given all the other crap people use as lubricants
and all the  wood destruction that goes on with easing pliers. That is just
my opinion of course, but I am sooo happy with the renewing, fitting and
stabilizing qualities of the VS drop and caul technique that I would have to
see some real science to steer me away from using the stuff. I might even
prefer new buttons in that case anyway.
That having been said, do I think that a new bushing job from Michael Morvan
or other fine keyboard specialists is a better product than this renewing
with a sizing solution? Unequivocally Yes, but the price and ease of
procedure would lead me to use sizing solution (whichever one you like) and
cold cauls to prolong the life and stablize the material between
replacements.
Stay well,
Chris Solliday
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Busby" <jim_busby at byu.edu>
To: "College and University Technicians" <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2008 12:31 PM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] S&S Key Bushings


> Hi Chris,
>
> What is "VSProfelt"? and where is it obtained?
>
> Thanks,
> Jim
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Chris Solliday
> Sent: Friday, October 17, 2008 6:55 PM
> To: College and University Technicians
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] S&S Key Bushings
>
> I've been having good success with a variety of keybushings by using a
drop
> of VSProfelt right on the pin marks and then cold brass cauls overnight.
> .003-.005 over for front rail and same size or .001 over for the balance.
> Chris Solliday
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jon Page" <jonpage at comcast.net>
> To: "caut list" <caut at ptg.org>
> Sent: Friday, October 17, 2008 9:08 AM
> Subject: [CAUT] S&S Key Bushings
>
>
> > Yesterday, I attempted to iron the key bushings on a 10 y/o L.
> >
> > The iron softened the glue more than it sized the opening. I
> > think the bushings actually swelled a bit because as I eased
> > the keys, I had to manually press the felt.
> >
> > There were two b/r felts which required reglueing.  It reminded
> > me the pre-glued variety.
> > --
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Jon Page
>
>