[pianotech] Key recovering-was wagner planner

[Paul McCloud]

Yup.  I do this job just often enough to remind myself it's not worth it.  Like every few years...  Looks so easy..  NOT
Paul McCloud
San Diego

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dale Erwin" <erwinspiano at aol.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Thursday, December 6, 2012 8:25:59 PM
Subject: [pianotech]  Key recovering-was wagner planner









Dave and all 
Having done my own key work in the past, I found its a job I despise and loose lots of money at. If you like doing this job then one should knock themselves out and whistle a happy tune. But if like me you don't enjoy the gnashing of teeth, consider sending them out. I mean for under $300 an impeccable looking key set can be had from many vendors. Yvonne Ashmore (Grass Valley), 
Ron Kneale(does work for Yam.) and others etc. 




So FWIW... ..Why not send the keys out? For me recovering keys is a money loosing proposition. I can tune & service three pianos in a day make at least 600 bucks. I can give half to the key guy and get a really nice job... instead of an 8 hour exercise in frustration. Just my usually biased opinion....!! 


D. 


Dale Erwin R.P.T. 
Erwin's Piano Restoration Inc. 
Mason & Hamlin /Steinway/ U.S. pianos 
www.Erwinspiano.com 
Phone: 209-577-8397 







-----Original Message----- 
From: David Love < davidlovepianos at comcast.net > 
To: pianotech < pianotech at ptg.org > 
Sent: Thu, Dec 6, 2012 7:07 pm 
Subject: Re: [pianotech] wagner safety planer drill speed 


I currently use a router system but I'm not thrilled with either the noise or 
the clamping system.  Considering alternatives.  I actually have (somewhere in 
the shop) and old Wagner planer.  What kind of sled system do you use to clamp 
and direct the keytop through the planer?

David Love www.davidlovepianos.com -----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [ mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org ] On Behalf Of 
Paul McCloud
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 4:43 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] wagner safety planer drill speed

Hi, David:
If you haven't seen one of these up close, when you do you'll be amazed how it's 
designed.  The cutters are mounted with screws to the body of the planer, and 
they are round.  Sharpening is done with a special wheel, which (should be) 
included.  The cutters are about a inch in diameter, and you would have to grind 
away the whole thing before you'd be able to wear it out.  I've used mine for 
many years, and it works well.  Though it's a "Safety Planer", you still have to 
respect it.  Even so, I've nicked myself with it, but didn't do too much damage.  
It's a good design.  Doing keytops with it still requires some careful setup, 
but you knew that already.
Paul McCloud
San Diego

----- Original Message -----
From: chrisstor at aol.com To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Thursday, December 6, 2012 3:46:17 PM
Subject: [pianotech]  wagner safety planer drill speed

David, 


With respect to your question on drill speed, my operator's manual says the 
following in one place: "Use in accordance with instructions. Maximum speed is 
6000rpm." 


Then in another location is says: "Set the drill press belt for a high speed, 
but not over 5000 rpm." 


With respect to your question regarding life of the tool, the manual says: 
"Cutting action remains the same after sharpening hundreds of times." I've 
sharpened mine once so far, so I can't tell you how long hundreds of sharpenings 
is going to last you. 


There are photocopies of the manual at this website: http://s237.beta.photobucket.com/user/Chipncut/media/Wagner%20Safe-T-Planer%20Manual/44879e0d.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1 Chris S.