Matthew, I use the Spurlock router table jig from his Journal articles to trim off the keyfront after having removed the tops. The fronts are cut with the keystick vertical, fronts down on the router table, with the bit set to remove the same depth as the new front thickness. I noticed right away that any chips on the router table will prevent the key from sitting down fully on the table, resulting in a too-shallow cut, a too-long key, and thus a one-piece keytop/front that sticks out toward the player. A tiny chip can make a very visible difference. I now use a compressed air blast to clear the jig and table before inserting each key. Without the keyframe, it is difficult to know if something is off. I have been wondering about a way to mark the keys in the piano to give a precise reference in the shop (assuming you don't remove the keyframe from a vertical). Perhaps a razor knife mark across all 88 with a straightedge, just past the keytops? Anyone have a better way? How to fix this AFTER the keytops are glued on? Other than reducing the keytop overhang with a file (which could be ugly), I think the only thing to do is remove the keytop, cut down the front a little more, and try a new top for fit in the keyframe, then glue. If you used a different jig that cut too deep, glue on some veneer and file it down to fit. Most important is to avoid the problem next time, but I don't have many more sets under my belt than you, so I'll be watching for other, better ideas also. Did you get done in under 10 hours? Gotta love those first-time projects. :) Greg Graham Brodheadsville, PA ------------------------ Matthew Todd wrote: "I did use the tops with moulded fronts. I actually routed off the old fronts. The alignment isn't real bad. But it is noticable to my eye since I was looking for the problem." Alan Barnard wrote: "...The alignment thing is interesting. Since front-to-back position of the keys is not adjustable without some major reengineering of the whole works, you have to do it with the keytops. I've not had this problem. Did you use the tops with molded fronts? Did you cut off the old fronts or otherwise trim the keysticks? You may have to use some judicious sanding or shimming under the tops. " ---- Original Message ----- From: Matthew Todd To: Pianotech Sent: 08/30/2005 8:52:45 PM Subject: Keytop Botched Job? Hey all, I actually did my first keytop replacement. Not on a client's piano, on my own practice piano. I don't think I did too bad of a job except for a few things. First, the fronts of some of the keytops don't exactly line up. Is there a regulatory technique to fix this? AND, there are certain keytops that have MY fingerprints on them from the PVC-E glue! Can I remove this with something? They are the darned moulded tops, so I can't buff them. Thanks guys, Matthew __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
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