Removing Celluloid Keytops?

[John Ross]

Hi Joe,
Why would you want to keep the taper?
Or have you found replacement keytops that are tapered, and the same
thickness?
I thought one of the requirements, on replacing keytops, was to maintain the
original, height from the keybed, so as to not have to relevel to the proper
height, and to maintain the same height relative to the black?
Or did I completely misunderstand the question?
I use a steam iron, in conjuncton with a damp cloth, to remove them. Then I
use a drum sander on my radial arm saw, and a jig to get them to the uniform
thickness I want, for the keytop I am using.
Regards,
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett@earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2004 2:04 PM
Subject: Removing Celluloid Keytops?


> I've never found a good way to remove celluloid keytops. I have a set, in
> the shop, now, that has "tapered keys", (i.e. the thickness of the front
of
> the keystick is narrower than the back of the key. So, I can't "machine"
the
> material off with the Safety Planer. I could do, what a lot of the
> old-timers did and use a taper jig, in tandom with the table saw. However,
> many of you, have seen the inaccurate results this furnished! Also, the
> actual celluloid is tapered from front to back, in it's thickness. I've
not
> seen that before! The front measures .045" thick. The back measures .025"
> thick. (hmm? just like ivory.)
> The usual "glue" that was used to attach celluloid was some sort of MEK
> based stuff that, in and of itself, is very flammable. The celluloid is
> flammable. So...., heat is not really an option and IMHO only makes the
> celluloid soft, but doesn't really break down the bond of the "adhesive".
> Sheesh! Any thoughts? I guess I could soak the key in a coffee can full of
> acetone! However, that would take a bit of time, to say the least. AND, it
> would remove the fronts, as well! Don't really want/need to do the fronts.
> Not to mention the fumes....so, it would be an outside project! HELP! <G>
> Best Regards,
> Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon)
> Captain, Tool Police
> Squares Are I
>
>
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