[pianotech] Rebushing Keys

[David Skolnik]

Al -
I've also used both over the years...initially the 
bushmaster...later, and most recently Spurlock.  Each has its 
benefits, and both are dependant on careful preparation for 
successful results.  Cloth selection and mortise preparation are 
still key (forgive me).   The wasted cloth in the bushmaster system 
always bothered me, though I suspect that John Ross is probably 
correct about the trade off with extra time.  The motions are 
different, and some might simply be more comfortable with one set of 
movements over another.  Using the Spurlock System,  I have found it 
useful, on more than one occasion, to use two slightly different 
thickness of cloth to get the fit I wanted.  Maybe that would make 
Bill cringe, as, it seemed, was my preference for using two of his 
grand action support jigs, when working at the piano (on each end of 
the action), rather than one, in the middle.   On the other hand, and 
speaking of hands, there is the matter of Spurlock's system working 
much better with 3 hands, all equally polydexterous: one to hold the 
cloth, one to insert the caul, and one to wield the knife, coming 
from either left or right.  Both require that the cloth be on the 
side of the caul in the direction in which you are moving through the 
keyboard, either left or right.  With the two caul (Spurlock) system, 
you need to leave the first caul in place for a while, before 
removing them to do the final cauls.  You can't go back to your 
beginning end to do the other side, as the cloth/caul orientation 
would be wrong.

I hope that's clear.  Two other minor bugs about less-than-careful 
use of Bushmaster: dulling blade will have more tendency to pull 
cloth too deep into mortise; excess glue will collect on blade, 
hindering retraction, or smear across bushing.  Periodic immersion in 
hot water helps.

Besides the fitting, the other requisite task, for both methods is 
trimming any protruding cloth, once cauls are removed, as you already knew.
Regards -

David Skolnik
Hastings on Hudson, NY



At 07:23 AM 6/29/2011, you wrote:
>I have been using the Spurlock method for rebushing key. I am now 
>looking at the Bushmaster system sold by Pianotek in order to 
>increase my speed. I'm sure I can still use my Spurlock cauls.
>
>Any thoughts on which system is faster? Better?
>
>
>Al -
>High Point, NC
>
>