Thank you. I've got a 1917 player piano with keytops that were replaced some time ago. Many of the keytops have become loose. Your video took the mystery out of how to prep the key, apply the PVC-E glue, and file excess keytop material.
Thank you for your comments. Yes, there is a chance that you can make the top of the key uneven if it is not sanded correctly. That is why it's important to use a sanding block and to make sure that you sand with the block flat on the keytop.
I wouldn't recommend using cyanoacrylate glue for keytops. The only other glue that is recommended for attaching keytops is contact cement which I have tried. I much prefer the PVC-E glue over contact cement.
Do you have any videos on replacing the black keytops? I have an old piano and the previous owner took the ebonys and covered them with a few coats of paint and finish. I wanted to cover them with plastic
We have an old upright (Boston Piano Co, 1906 ish) and many keytops have popped off. I'd like to buy a replacement kit for my hubby's Xmas present (he's very handy, but has never worked on a piano before). The kits come in different 'head' widths. How do I determine which to purchase? Thank you!
The key top heads come in two different lengths. You would just need to measure the length of the head which if it is a little too long you would need to file the heads.
I have one broken keytop on my 1970s Horugel Studio Upright. Evidently one of my kids dropped something really heavy on it:( Does one usually need to replace the ENTIRE keyboard in order to fix one key (e.g....are the colors and shapes of white keytops pretty standard?) In other words, if I bought the set of German acrylic one-piece keys offered on your website....would I likely have to replace all the white keys instead of just the one broken one? Advice?
Thanks Jessica, That's a good question for those who are installing keytops that don't have the attached fronts. What you'll want to do is install the new keytops so the front edge of the keytop extends 1/16" off the front edge of the key. You can measure this using a small 6" steel ruler. Feel free to let me know if you have other questions.
Hello, I just got my family upright delivered to my new house, it's at least 80 years old. I was wondering if it's possible to replace the key tops while they're still attached or if we have to remove the keys themselves from the piano as you have don
@@howardpianoind okay thank you. I'll have someone come down from the repair shop, I don't trust myself not to break anything haha. I appreciate the help 😊
PVA glue is much different than PVC-E glue. Yes, PVC-E glue isn't usually available in local stores. It's mostly piano supply companies that have it available. We have the glue available in our online store: www.howardpianoindustries.com/pvc-e-glue/
Thanks! The only thing is I live in Brazil and shipping can be a nightmare. I think I will try contact cement first and if not, I have a friend in the States who often comes here so I will ask for her help if I get stuck - excuse the pun. ;) Thanks for posting the video too. Really good.
Yes, I realize shipping to Brazil is both expensive and very slow. We ship to customers regularly in Brazil, but it is not very reliable. If you have a friend coming to visit you in the states we can ship the glue to her and she can bring it to you. We have quite a few customers who get things from us this way.
One of my plastic white keys has a shallow pitted area on the back part of the key that was caused by a tuner while holding a voicing needle allowing it to rest against the key. Would there be any way to smooth this out without replacing the keytop?
I think any attempt at making it better ( sanding or using a filler) would only make a more visible aberration in the key. Even replacing the single keytop would have to be done with great care to end up with a result that would restore the original condition.
If you're referring to the wood key stick, these are not available from anywhere that I know of. The key would have to be custom made to match the old key which can be fairly costly. If the key is broken, it is best if you can try to repair it if possible.
Excuse me, maybe I did not explain well. I would like to know a site where I can buy plastic keys compatible for my bosendorfer. Then, I understand that the most suitable glue is the PVC-E glue, it is right?
The biggest nightmare of replacing key tops is that they rarely can be used out of the box. You have to shape them. I do the rough shaping with a Dremel and finish with a large, flat drywall sanding block and a fine file. At least in my case, I've found that it is a chore that a technician can't get fairly paid for the time involved.
Yes, it definitely is a time consuming task. I know that technicians that do this regularly have jigs that make the work much faster and can make the job profitable.
@@howardpianoind- So, from the perspective of a client who wants to do a full restoration of his piano, it's probably a smart decision to do the keytop replacement himself, and spend the saved money on more complicated aspects of the piano restoration process like restringing or wood polishing, right?
What do you do if the heads are a bit too wide? I'm getting a measurement of 7/8 on my key head but the key tops I got from you seem to be 1/16th" too wide. Also, the sharps are about a millimeter or two too long and hit the wood plank that goes over the tops of the keys.
If the heads are a bit too wide, you may need to do some filing on the sides of the heads. This isn't as common as on the tails. Just make sure when you line up the heads that they are lined up with an even amount of overhang on each side. So if you have an extra 1/16" your overhang would be 1/32" on each side so there would be minimal filing on each side of the head. The same thing with the sharps, you may need to file the back end of the sharp a bit to get it to fit correctly. Unfortunately there aren't shorter sharps available. I hope this helps.
We didn't do a separate video on replacing keytops on an upright piano because the process is exactly the same. Once you have the key out the removal and replacement process for the keytops is the same for the grand and upright pianos.
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Thank you. I've got a 1917 player piano with keytops that were replaced some time ago. Many of the keytops have become loose. Your video took the mystery out of how to prep the key, apply the PVC-E glue, and file excess keytop material.
Glad it helped!
Thank you for your comments. Yes, there is a chance that you can make the top of the key uneven if it is not sanded correctly. That is why it's important to use a sanding block and to make sure that you sand with the block flat on the keytop.
You are making it easier for us. Thanks
I wouldn't recommend using cyanoacrylate glue for keytops. The only other glue that is recommended for attaching keytops is contact cement which I have tried. I much prefer the PVC-E glue over contact cement.
Do you have any videos on replacing the black keytops? I have an old piano and the previous owner took the ebonys and covered them with a few coats of paint and finish. I wanted to cover them with plastic
Thanks for the informational video. What grit size sandpaper did you use?
I think it was around a 120.
whitch its better? the one that you used on this video or the ones that has no front square?
Hi friend!
I could not find the dimensions of the keytops in your site...
Where can I find it?
Thanks!
We have an old upright (Boston Piano Co, 1906 ish) and many keytops have popped off. I'd like to buy a replacement kit for my hubby's Xmas present (he's very handy, but has never worked on a piano before). The kits come in different 'head' widths. How do I determine which to purchase? Thank you!
The key top heads come in two different lengths. You would just need to measure the length of the head which if it is a little too long you would need to file the heads.
Okay, thanks. Is the length of the 'head width' from end to end or side to side?
I have one broken keytop on my 1970s Horugel Studio Upright. Evidently one of my kids dropped something really heavy on it:( Does one usually need to replace the ENTIRE keyboard in order to fix one key (e.g....are the colors and shapes of white keytops pretty standard?) In other words, if I bought the set of German acrylic one-piece keys offered on your website....would I likely have to replace all the white keys instead of just the one broken one? Advice?
There will be some color difference most likely, so if you want the keys to look uniform in color it is recommended to replace all of them.
Thank you much. Your channel is super amazing. Thank you for all the imparted help/knowledge.
You can buy a axe file at your hardware store and it has smooth sides that won't cut has you file the key.
Thanks Jessica,
That's a good question for those who are installing keytops that don't have the attached fronts. What you'll want to do is install the new keytops so the front edge of the keytop extends 1/16" off the front edge of the key. You can measure this using a small 6" steel ruler. Feel free to let me know if you have other questions.
Hello, I just got my family upright delivered to my new house, it's at least 80 years old. I was wondering if it's possible to replace the key tops while they're still attached or if we have to remove the keys themselves from the piano as you have don
It would be difficult to replace the key tops without taking the keys out, but it’s a fairly simple process to remove the keys.
@@howardpianoind okay thank you. I'll have someone come down from the repair shop, I don't trust myself not to break anything haha. I appreciate the help 😊
May I ask what is the brand of that glue? I wouldnt spread regular super glue with my finger. Thank you
This is PVC-E glue which is a water based glue. Yes, I agree you wouldn't want to touch super glue. It can be very messy.
Thanks for the video. Is PVA glue ok to use? I can't seem to find PVC-e, but I can find contact cement.
PVA glue is much different than PVC-E glue. Yes, PVC-E glue isn't usually available in local stores. It's mostly piano supply companies that have it available. We have the glue available in our online store: www.howardpianoindustries.com/pvc-e-glue/
Thanks! The only thing is I live in Brazil and shipping can be a nightmare. I think I will try contact cement first and if not, I have a friend in the States who often comes here so I will ask for her help if I get stuck - excuse the pun. ;) Thanks for posting the video too. Really good.
Yes, I realize shipping to Brazil is both expensive and very slow. We ship to customers regularly in Brazil, but it is not very reliable. If you have a friend coming to visit you in the states we can ship the glue to her and she can bring it to you. We have quite a few customers who get things from us this way.
Thank you so much for the video!
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video. Thank you
One of my plastic white keys has a shallow pitted area on the back part of the key that was caused by a tuner while holding a voicing needle allowing it to rest against the key. Would there be any way to smooth this out without replacing the keytop?
I think any attempt at making it better ( sanding or using a filler) would only make a more visible aberration in the key. Even replacing the single keytop would have to be done with great care to end up with a result that would restore the original condition.
@@howardpianoind Thanks. It isn't very visible. It's just that I feel it when playing.
I need to change a key to my bosendorfer. Do you recommend a site where I can buy the spare keys?
If you're referring to the wood key stick, these are not available from anywhere that I know of. The key would have to be custom made to match the old key which can be fairly costly. If the key is broken, it is best if you can try to repair it if possible.
Excuse me, maybe I did not explain well. I would like to know a site where I can buy plastic keys compatible for my bosendorfer.
Then, I understand that the most suitable glue is the PVC-E glue, it is right?
The German piano keytops with fronts that we sell in our online store should work well.
Thank you very much, and about the glue??
Yes, PVC-E glue is the best glue to use.
Hi, what's the best way to dissolve this glue if necessary? I can't seem to find much information about it online.
This is a water based glue so using steam or heat should soften the glue.
@@howardpianoind Thank you so much, Mr. Howard!
The biggest nightmare of replacing key tops is that they rarely can be used out of the box. You have to shape them. I do the rough shaping with a Dremel and finish with a large, flat drywall sanding block and a fine file. At least in my case, I've found that it is a chore that a technician can't get fairly paid for the time involved.
Yes, it definitely is a time consuming task. I know that technicians that do this regularly have jigs that make the work much faster and can make the job profitable.
@@howardpianoind- So, from the perspective of a client who wants to do a full restoration of his piano, it's probably a smart decision to do the keytop replacement himself, and spend the saved money on more complicated aspects of the piano restoration process like restringing or wood polishing, right?
What do you do if the heads are a bit too wide? I'm getting a measurement of 7/8 on my key head but the key tops I got from you seem to be 1/16th" too wide. Also, the sharps are about a millimeter or two too long and hit the wood plank that goes over the tops of the keys.
If the heads are a bit too wide, you may need to do some filing on the sides of the heads. This isn't as common as on the tails. Just make sure when you line up the heads that they are lined up with an even amount of overhang on each side. So if you have an extra 1/16" your overhang would be 1/32" on each side so there would be minimal filing on each side of the head. The same thing with the sharps, you may need to file the back end of the sharp a bit to get it to fit correctly. Unfortunately there aren't shorter sharps available. I hope this helps.
Thank you! I just wanted to make sure filing was the proper thing to do.
Could I use cyanoacrylate glue? Or would that make the key too difficult to remove in the future?
what about an upright!? why can't I find any video on replacing keys for an upright?
We didn't do a separate video on replacing keytops on an upright piano because the process is exactly the same. Once you have the key out the removal and replacement process for the keytops is the same for the grand and upright pianos.
The key tops that are sold by Schaff basically fit all pianos - grand, upright, spinet.
Yeah my parents out of nowhere decided to get an old grand so now I’m watching videos like these because they said if I could fix it 😂
Could you? 😅
@@tigereye6939 fuck no its still in the garage Im in college rn, its probably still in the garage 😅
@@therandomchannel-_- I am thinking about getting an old grand with grandma's yellow teeth keys, thanks for talking me out of it 😅
Nothing about the black keys. They're like the Fight Club. We just don't talk about them.
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