Glues/Bridges, etc.

[Carl Meyer]

I second the motion about pvc-e.  I've used it for lots of key top jobs.

I rotary plane the key tops, cut off the front with a jig I built for my
table saw and use pvc-e.

I like to thin the glue with just a few drops of water to a brushing
consistency.  Apply with a 3/4-1 inch artists brush and immediately apply
the key top.  It is very aggressive and I think those that have had trouble
with it have allowed it to dry slightly.  I wouldn't let the open time be
more than a few seconds.  I do them one at a time.  Keep a wet towel to
clean you hands.  Smooth them down with your fingers held over the key to
center the key top.  You can trim the tops in an hour or so and use alcohol
to clean up.

Amazing stuff!  It is white like milk, thins with water, dries almost clear
and flexible.  Yet is absolutely waterproof.  I once put a large drop on a
piece of metal, allowed it to completely dry, peeled it off and boiled it in
water and nothing happened to it.

I like it!  Can't you tell?

Carl Meyer




----- Original Message -----
From: Jon Page <jonpage@mediaone.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2001 9:35 AM
Subject: Re: Glues/Bridges, etc.


> At 09:39 AM 04/23/2001 -0700, you wrote:
> ><snip>
> >      The fifth glue is Contact Cement. (The stinky one, that many prefer
not
> >to use because it is not good to breath!) This glue is used to install
> >leather or felt in high use areas, such as contact points between springs
> >and levers. Also, it's my glue of choice for keytop replacement. There is
a
> >downside to this use, as I have found that after 15-20 years, the glue
> >breaks down and the keytops come off! DO NOT USE THE WATER BASED CONTACT
> >CEMENT! Water based contact cement breaks down faster and doesn't stick
very
> >well, anyway.<snip>
> >Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
>
>
> Joe,
> Try PVC-E glue for plastic keytops. No worry about accidental etching of
> the surface.
> I can't attest to its longevity but we already know that contact cement
> doesn't last.
> It is flexible enough for the key to move with season changes and not
split
> the covering.
> You don't even need to clamp it, once pressure is applied, it stays secure
> until dry.
>
> Regards,
> Jon Page,   piano technician
> Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass.
> mailto:jonpage@mediaone.net
> http://www.stanwoodpiano.com
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>