PVC-E glue

[Jon Page]

Rolling glue en mass to an octave may be a little messy
and difficult to get an even spread at the back.

Doing too many in advance of installation may allow the glue
to skin-over. So you would have to place the tops on immediately
and go back and straighten out. Depending on your skill and the keytop's
cooperation to align, it may be problematic to align the tops at the end
of that octave section.  I think an octave may be too much.

I apply the glue with a brush and have found that one or two in advance
of installation and alignment is about max to allow the glue to slightly
tack and not skin-over.

After you plane the keys to get a suitable gluing surface and to
re-establish proper natural-to-sharp height; thin the glue 50%
with water and apply a sizing coat to the keys and let dry. This
will allow for better bonding. Without sizing the glue soaks into
the wood quickly and unevenly which would affect your bond.

Gluing's the easy part, hand filing and getting straight, even, parallel
margins can really slow you down.

First time out... figure 8+ hours. Difficult old keytop removal and
any subsequent wood pull-out and filling can extend the course.

Have a damp rag at the ready to wipe off glue smears/squeeze-out,
after it dries it requires a lot more effort which extends the job...

Regards,

Jon Page