key pins

[Newton Hunt]

Ron, you do like the nitty gritty don't you.

It has been my observation that small key pins wear bushings faster and
that the Yamaha brass balance rail pins do more damage than plated
pins.  I have no proof of this, just a seat of the pants feeling.

The corollary of course is that larger pins do not wear bushings out as
quickly.  Why did Steinway drop those pins?  

Other observations, polished and lubricated pins and bushings will take
ten times the wear than without the polish or lubrications.  No one
except university techs are likely to notice this wear.

Tightly woven cloth is better than loosely woven felt.  

Key pins can be rotated, contrary to popular belief, but not more than
about 35 degrees.  After that, rebush.

Careful fitting of each key, one at a time, individually will assure a
very nicely done keyboard with no sluggishness.

I have also seen laminated key buttons.  Not _that_ I thought was a good
idea.

		Newton

Ron Nossaman wrote:
> 
> Well, since there doesn't seem to be a bunch of enlightenment on laminated
> knucklebones pouring in, I've got another annoying question I was holding
> in reserve for just such a situation.
> 
> Are there any detectable differences in performance, longevity, bushing
> abuse, or competitor envy between brass, plated brass, or plated steel key
> pins? Why not nickel silver, stainless steel, or Kryptonite? With center
> pin composition being of such concern, it seems that key pin composition
> cults would be inevitable too. I admit I haven't had to repin more than a
> couple of keys as field repairs in all these years, so maybe that's it. No
> one notices any difference. Still, it seems odd that no one champions or
> outright condemns specific key pin materials in either advertising or
> technical literature. Or do they?
> 
> Ron N