Molded Keytops

[Mike Kurta]

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    Hi Jon & Greg:
    There is a good reason for the thicker keytops we commonly see for =
replacement.  Key that have been used awhile after the original ivory =
has come off develop a dish or depression where the finger plays the =
key.  This has to be removed to create a smooth base for the new =
material.  Problems would arise if the new keytop were applied directly =
over an uneven surface.  There are other reasons also:  warped and =
uneven keys that need truing to make a good, even key level along with a =
consistent key dip being one of them. =20
    In answer to your second question, there is such a variety of key =
widths in pianos, that supplying a product that will work on most all =
keys results in a wider than usually needed keytop.  Yes, it is a pain =
to remove a lot of material from the sides, but no manufacturer would =
make 6 different widths to accomodate the different keys.  If you are in =
Chicago next week, I'll be showing 4 different methods of trimming =
keytops at my technical. =20
    BTW, the commonly used keytops that Schaff and Apsco sell are made =
in our town of Auburn, NY by Currier Plastics, a local company.  I =
attempted to buy direct from them, but was told it was not possible as =
they were restricted to producing keytops for the owner of the molds =
ONLY!  Who was the owner?  Schaff Piano Supply Co. =20
    See you in Chicago!
    Mike Kurta, RPT
   =20
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Greg=20
  To: pianotech@ptg.org=20
  Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2002 6:13 AM
  Subject: Re: Molded Keytops


  If one were to use a water based adhesive instead of a solvent-based =
one then that wopuldn't be a problem...I have used a latex based =
adhesive (Liquid Nails, white stuff in a squeeze tube) in the past that =
worked very well although it was much slower setting than acetone/keytop =
solution....

  Now, this brings to mind another keytop question...

  Has someone come up with a molded keytop (or can someone please do =
so?) that is slightly smaller in width at both the head and even smaller =
at the tail? I believe this idea would be better than always having to =
trim off SO MUCH excess plastic...

  I realize that key sizes vary somewhat and that they are not always =
uniform in size, but a better key covering job could be more easily =
obtained simply by shrinking the dimensions of the keytop slightly, =
especially for those who do not have a keytop trimming jig or =
machine....

  FWIW, I am speaking primarily of the Schaff/Apsco keytops commonly =
used...=20

  Anybody?

  Best,
  Greg


    ----- Original Message -----=20
    From: Jon Page=20
    To: pianotech@ptg.org=20
    Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2002 7:05 AM
    Subject: Re: Molded Keytops



    The plastic would be rather thin and the grain in the wood or the =
joint for the front rail plug
    would figure the surface.  I'm sure you've seen an older set of =
plastic keytops which have
    'shrunken" into the keystick surface.


    Regards,


    Jon Page,   piano technician

    At 07:41 AM 6/13/2002 -0400, you wrote:

      Why don't they make replacement molded keytops the same thickness =
as ivory or ivorine so we don't have to plane the keys?
      =20
      Philip Jamison
      West Chester, PA

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