Key Button Installation

Ron Nossaman rnossaman@cox.net
Sun, 05 Feb 2006 14:06:09 -0600


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> I need to install new key buttons on 88 keys. Never done it before. I 
> have the Journals on CD, but have never been able to do a search on 
> them. I found an old article by Fern Henry that described a very simple 
> method/jig to do this task. The few articles I have found suggest that 
> many techs prefer to replace button rather than rebush and complete the 
> task in about two hours. In two hours, following a modified Fern Henry 
> method, I have eight keys done. I've got 80 to go. At this pace it 
> will take me the better part of a week to install a set of key 
> buttons. Is anyone aware of a good article in the PTG Journal that 
> describes the procedure? I see the Jaras Key Button jig in the Schaff 
> catalog - anyone have an opinion on that? Anyone got any other 
> favorite/excellent-result/fast method of replacing key buttons?
>  
> Thanks for any input.
>  
> Terry Farrell


I put top plates and long buttons on that D+ I did last 
summer. I made them out of poplar, with my funky plunge router 
made from an old radial arm saw, cheap router motor, and ways 
from a cheap cross feed vise. Position the straightedge on the 
keys and clamp or tape it down so the keys are level. Bend key 
pins as necessary to center them in the mortise. Get the 
angles from the keys, mark and rough cut the buttons by 
section or half section. Glue on every other one (Titebond), 
going back and checking the previous section to make sure the 
ends are glued down. Shift happens, so keep an eye on it. Then 
do the other half of the set when the glue is dry, trim by 
whatever method works, and block sand if necessary.

I didn't time the process, but I'm not very fast at it. Half 
fast, maybe. Figure about half a day.

Ron N

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