[pianotech] Cracked Ivory heads...was "a first for me"

[Paul T Williams]

Sure, I agree with Dale.

Try to talk them into new keytops. It looks like a nightmare waiting to 
happen. You might try one or two notes to see what happens, then show the 
client.  They'll decide for you and then.....cash for repairs!

What do you do when a bunch of them don't like being "shimmed" or cut away 
and just crackle from age?  Then you're up the proverbial creek. 

Paul




From:
Dale Erwin <erwinspiano at aol.com>
To:
joegarrett at earthlink.net, pianotech at ptg.org
Date:
08/31/2010 02:27 PM
Subject:
Re: [pianotech] Cracked Ivory heads...was "a first for me"



Joe brings up a good point. Working with newly sliced Ivory is like night 
and day to old  The old stuff is soo fragile and the new stuff files close 
to plastic with way more ease. Its like shimming old spruce.  When will it 
crack so more. 


Dale S. Erwin
www.Erwinspiano.com
Custom piano restoration
Ronsen piano hammers
Sitka soundboard panels
209-577-8397
209-985-0990


-----Original Message-----
From: Joseph Garrett <joegarrett at earthlink.net>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Tue, Aug 31, 2010 9:24 am
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Cracked Ivory heads...was "a first for me"

Ken asked: "I have been tuning and working on pianos since 1971 and this 
is the first time I have been asked this question.
 
The customer has these cracks in the ivory of the keys of this 1948 
Steinway and ask if there is a way to "fix" the cracks without replacing 
the keytops?
 
Anyone of you have any experience? I know there are kits to repair chips 
in ivory but make cracks disappear?
 
Thanks in advance,"
 
Ken,
Yes, it's called Acrylikey. You will need to make a special tool, however. 
I would call it a miniature of a soundboard shimming tool. I've also done 
it with a dremel conical bit, but it's a little dicier.<G> 
I do have a question/statement: Why would you want to, since the picture 
shows that the owner is an obvious slob???<G> (either that or he/she has 
kids<G>) Those keys are filthy, which is one of the reasons why the keys 
cracked! The chemicals from the hands erodes the ivory and makes it 
brittle. (amazing how toxic the human body really is!<G>)The owner needs 
to start washing hands, every time, before playing the piano, IMNSHO!<G>
Joe 
 
 
Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
Captain, Tool Police
Squares R I
 
 

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