how about? for damper felts

[Gevaert Pierre]

Hi ,

 

>From what I learned on this list, I combine several techniques for bushings.

 

-          put a few drops of water / wallpaper remover and let it soak for
¼ our

-          then blow out the bushings with a concentrated steam jet (this
will also clean the old glue rests and takes only about 20 minutes)

-          as the wood swells with the steam, I directly insert cauls from
the appropriated thickness so the sise will be perfect for rebushing with
the Spurlock cauls.

-          When needed I also put steam on the key pin holes (when to much
play) so that the wood swells and then sise the holes for a good fit the
next day 

 

This I found to be a verry nice way of working thanks to all the tips and
tricks fom this list.

 

Thanks,

 

Pierre

 

 

 

   _____  

De : pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] De la part
de Allen Wright
Envoyé : samedi 19 mai 2007 1:37
À : Pianotech List
Objet : Re: how about? for damper felts

 

oh yes, Terry, I've heard people mention this felt wedge technique: so,
should I presume that you have 88 little wedges for all the keys? This
technique sounds like it might be even more focused than just soaking the
bushings. I like the brass caul/soldering iron idea - I'll have to make a
tip like that for my soldering  iron. Sounds like the cat's meow...

 

Cheers,

 

Allen Wright, RPT

London, UK

 

 

On 19 May 2007, at 00:04, Farrell wrote:





I've never tried wallpaper remover with water - although I hear very good
results are had with that combo. I have always used denatured alcohol &
water - about 50/50 on both damper felts and key bushing felts. Once the
felt has been wetted, one can switch to straight water. The 50/50 initial
ratio seems to not be critical at all. If hide glue had been used, after
several hours of soaking, felt simply falls off - no cutting, tugging,
scraping - no nothing - felt simply falls off.

 

For white-type glue in key bushings, I have soaked with alcohol/water
overnight. I place small wedges of dense felt in the mortise to hold
moisture right at the key bushings. Then I hit each bushing with a very
quick application of a dedicated hot key bushing ironing brass piece in the
soldering iron. The quick blast of heat on the soaked bushing gives the
bushing glue a shot of steam and makes them all but fall out. Unfortunately
there remains some glue residue on the wood.  :-(

 

I wish it were a law to only used hot hide glue on key bushings. Pa-foo-ee
on anyone that doesn't.  ;-)

 

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message -----

 

While we're on this subject - I just introduced the notion of using a damper
felt removal solution (diluted wallpaper remover and vinegar) rather than
the manly (or womanly) slicing off and sanding of old felts (the
old-fashioned method they've been using here), into the milieu of the
Steinway London Restoration Centre, where I've been working for the last few
months. Lightbulbs went on above heads when they realized how much time they
won't be wasting anymore if they incorporate this cheeky American technique
: )

 

I've always figured that the ratios of the different ingredients were not
particularly crucial - just a well-diluted solution. Does anyone have any
comments on that? Is the vinegar really necessary? I think my solution
morphed over the years from one including alcohol-water-vinegar to the
present one, for vaguely remembered reasons....

 

For keybushing removal here, they've been using pure "meths'", which as far
as i can tell is a mix of ethanol and methanol (yikes - isn't that toxic?)
and lots of tugging and slicing. I think the American solution will be an
improvement with that, as well.

 

I know: steam and wet cloth works very well on key bushings also, but that's
probably a little too radical too present here. 

 

I'd be curious to hear if there are any other ideas on glue softening
solutions. This one works best with hide glue, naturally. Anybody have a
solution for white and other more stubborn glues?

 

Sincerely, 

 

Allen Wright, RPT

London, UK





 


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