I wish I had the answers that everyone is seeking or a jig to sell for the job, but every balance hole job is difficult, unique, and presents its own circumstances; therefore a universal jig as I see it is nearly impossible. I'm glad someone finally pointed out the fact that the original location of the balance hole should be considered because in my opinion that is the most important aspect of balance hole replacement. Balance hole replacement is rarely an isolated problem, It is usually further complicated by other problems within the keyboard such as worn tops, buttons, mortises, and pins. When more than one reference to the keyboard's original state is gone the job becomes that much harder, where does one start? All can affect spacing. There are a few systems for replacing balance holes available on the market and many adaptations pop up on various forums and conventions from time to time, all are fast and furious and serve an immediate need but all that I have seen fail to consider where the balance hole was originally. The trade off is a keyset with new slop-free balance holes that have varying front-to back and varying side-to-side points, they can also have an even worse combination of the two. These varying front-to back and side-to-side points lead to a spacing nightmare which requires the front and balance pins to be bent over to compensate. This spacing nightmare and its corrective measure carry on northward into the action. Front-to-back variations are aesthetic and change the fulcrum point which changes the action geometry, side-to-side variations change the position of the key with regard to its neighbors and requires bending the front rail pin to respace, a combination of front-to back and side-to-side variation cause both sets of problems. Pins that do not travel parallel with or parallel through the mortise cause friction and binding. Bending the front and balance rail pins sideways for compensation requires that the mortises in the front rail and buttons be widened or opened up a bit, this widening causes slop and unevenness throughout the keyboard. Replacing or repairing certain components on keyboards such as the keytops, buttons, balance holes, and mortises is major surgery and if not done properly can quickly and forever change the geometry, appearance, and playability of an instrument; there is a reason I don't tune my own piano. All of these repairs can be done successfully by anyone that is willing to put the time, effort, and resources into it. Tread lightly and be a good advocate for the client, the instrument, and yourself. Mike Morvan Blackstone Valley Piano www.pianoandorgankeys.com -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Ron Nossaman Sent: Friday, July 27, 2012 11:23 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] balance hole jig On 7/27/2012 8:53 PM, Jon Page wrote: > Something to keep in mind when repairing balance holes. Not only is the > forward and back positioning important, > so is side to side. Look how the rear ends of the keys space. Moving the > hole left or right will reposition the rear of the key. > > Michael Morvan pointed this out to me when I had a set of keys which had > the shoes reglued less than ideally. Opportunity aplenty awaits. Ron N
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