Joe, thanks for that info. I don't know if 'celluloid' is the correct name, but that is the name used in the English supply catalogues. What i DO know is that the non-ivory keytop material used on old pianos looks a lot better, and feels 'harder' than the bright white glossy plastic of the pre-shaped ketops i have seen. Bright shiny plastic looks very 'cheap & nasty' on old pianos, and i think is barely acceptable on new pianos, but people have got used to it. Soooooooo..... I would like to find this material that looks better to use for recovering. Scott Jackson (Wollongong Australia) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett@earthlink.net> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Thursday, 13 June 2002 7:58 Subject: "Celluloid Key Covering" | Scott, | What you refer to as "Celluloid", may not be what we in this "colony" know | as celluloid! (Although we both speak English, there tis a difference, ya | know, mate. <G>)The first form of plastic was celluloid. It was EXTREMELY | flammable. This is what was used on the pre-ivory-ban key fronts. The more | modern plastic that is referred to as "Ivorine", is not as flammable and is | available from one supplier, in 2 thicknesses, (.050" & .060"). This is | available from Schaff. | IMHO the use of "Moulded" keytop material is substandard in many ways, | although there are those, out there, who have learned to do a credible job. | (flame suit firmly zipped up w/eye protection, ear protection and vapor | barriers armed.<G>) The Ivorine will be a better keytop, if trimmed properly | and of course properly glue with the appropriate glue, which is PVC-E. Those | who use the caustic "Contact Cement" get good results, as well. But, there | is a down-side to using Contact Cement: It degrades and loses it's adhesion | after about 20 years. This I know from personal experience. There is a third | glue that is made from Ivorine trimmings and Acetone. But again, it has it's | down-side. The darn stuff sticks too well, softens the plastic too much, | which shows every minute imperfection in the under-layment surface. Hence | the key tops get "wavy". | The machine, of record, for trimming Ivorine, is the "Oslund" System. This | machine is difficult to use, archaic and difficult to keep in adjustment. | Much hand filing is always necessary with Ivorine and this system. I know | this is why most prefer the "moulded" tops. "Moulded" tops would be ok IF | all keys were dimensionally the same. (NOT!!!) | Best Regards, | Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon) |
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