trimming new keytops

[Thomas Cole]

Shawn,

In answering this question, I would have to imagine how I would do it if 
I were in a completely darkened room. It might be easy enough to trim 
the keytops flush with the sides by putting sandpaper on a flat surface 
and then laying each side of the keystick on the abrasive, leaning 
almost completely on the edge of the keytop so that no appreciable wood 
is removed from the keystick. Check for when you've sanded the keytop 
flush, of course.

To file the notch accurately, you might get a block of wood, one inch by 
something by something convenient, and glue a piece of coarse sandpaper 
to one edge (you could glue another piece to the opposite edge while 
you're at it). That way you can file the notch down to where it is flush 
with the keystick, so that it will clear the sharps. You want the short 
edge of the notch to lie on a continuous line from bass to treble, so 
this part will need some extra care.

Finish up with a brand new mill smooth file, rounding off the edges and 
touching up the notch. I usually do this while hand holding the keystick 
but a vise with padded jaws might work better for you.

Good luck

Tom Cole

John Ross wrote:
> *I use a 1" belt sander, then file the notch, and refine the edges by 
> hand file.*
> *Be sure to pad the vise jaw, that is against the keytop in the vice.*
> *Keep on meaning to make a jig, since 1975, but never got around to it.*
> *I do have all the tools necessary to make the different jigs 
> mentioned in articles, and on the list. is that called 
> procrastinating? :-)*
> *John Ross*
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* Shawn Brock <mailto:shawnbrock at fuse.net>
>     *To:* Pianotech List <mailto:pianotech at ptg.org>
>     *Sent:* Wednesday, October 29, 2008 1:51 PM
>     *Subject:* trimming new keytops
>
>     List,
>      
>     can anyone give me an idea for the most accurate and least costly
>     way of trimming new keytops?  I have installed the German one
>     peace tops and fronts sold by Pianotek and now need to perform the
>     worse part of the job...  Filing these is a time consuming
>     activity!  So I'm thinking the obvious thing to do is cut the tops
>     flush with the side of the key and round off the edges and corners
>     afterward.  I don't have a router and don't really want to get
>     one, so how about a Dremel?  Would that work worth a darn?  Any
>     suggestions?  I have no plans of going into the keytop business
>     but I have two other pianos that need tops and I'm to cheap to
>     send the work out.  The way I see it is I have the time so why not
>     just keep that extra money I would spend to farm the work out. 
>     Thanks as always!
>      
>     Shawn Brock, RPT
>     513-316-0563
>     www.shawnbrock.com <http://www.shawnbrock.com>
>
> John M.Ross
> Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada.