----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Goodale" <rrg@unlv.edu> To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Friday, November 08, 2002 11:07 AM Subject: Re: removing ebony sharps Simplest job in all of piano technology. Clear off a hard and solid corner of your work bench. Whack the key on it's flat side with a moderate blow onto the work bench. The sharp will go flying away as easy as that. Note that the word "whack" is relative. Obviously you don't want to break the key. A good solid hit with moderate force is usually sufficient to break the old glue joint. Actually it's even kind of fun! Rob Goodale, RPT Las Vegas, NV What has worked very well for me is lay the key down on its side on a flat surface and strike it with a dead blow hammer. It would seem that this would be more controlled and just as fast. Norm Barrett Memphis chapter PTG What's the method of choice for removing ebony from the key. Whereas I have generally used a chisel for taking off plastic sharps, the additional surface area of ebony sharps may produce some wood loss, which I would like to avoid. It seems like maybe a band saw for the bulk of it followed by a sharp chisel might be the way to go. Any suggestions. David Love
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC