If you use a small paint brush and dab the PVC-E glue on the key, you won't have all that excess glue to clean off the sides of the key and your fingers not to mention cleaning off the dried smeared glue on top of the key later. Your keytop glue jig is very nice.
Hey Kurt, thanks for the video. I put my white glue (Bondcrete) on the key top like you do, then I rub the keytop on the stick a dozen or so times until it heats up some then I set the key. It sets solid. Great video .I love your router set up.
Great video Kurt. I'm a piano tech in southern California and I'm in the middle of cleaning up a sloppy keytop job done decades ago by unknown. Since I don't do keytops too often, it's helpful to see videos like yours for tips. I've also used PVC-E glue and it's excellent. I do have a question. I like your overhead router setup for trimming the sides of the new keytops. But if you use keytops with pre-molded fronts, and the new front is a little too long, how would you go about trimming that? A standard router table setup would work but is there a way with the overhead? Thanks, Walter Nirenberg
Wow....How cool is it to find so many people interested in piano repair. I must say its humbling to strike a chord..(pun intended). Thanks for the 👍. Please know that I appreciate you and your interest in the field I love as well. We are all connected in some way, right? Love you all and please visit my facebook page at: facebook.com/grandpurpose. God Bless you all, Kurt Weissman
Hey Manpower, I've only ever done it this way so sorry I can't be of more help there. I guess you could glue the key so the notch is where you want it but then you'd still need to cut the overlap in the front of the key. If you made the jig at :41 differently that could work. You'd still need to file to remove the excess key top material so the key moves freely. Good luck, Kurt
Hi Kurt! Nice video! Can you recommend a product for ebony sharp restoration? I recently inherited my gmas piano from the 40s. I fixed the ivories but would like to freshen up the ebonies ... The right way :). Thanks!
several folks asked about the "custom tool" used for the notch. It is still the router with a jig set up. The keytop is rotated so its edge is facing down. That way, the router bit top blade is cutting the plastic out. Then the key stick is then rotated 90deg so the rest of the plastic is removed. I tried PVC-e, but found it does not bond well to the plastic. I no like.
I found that the glue has a shelf life and should be used when fresh. What glue have you found that works better Tom? You’ve accurately described my key machine. I’ve had this for over 35 years and I must say it works great.
Glad you asked. My shop has moved away from adhesives for keytops, choosing, rather to employ the newer glue tapes. Fast, secure, and it will not cup, discolor, or show through ivories. I get mine from Steve's Piano Service online: FC001 $15. Fast, secure, and I use it for other applications where bonding strength is not required. You can have fun experimenting with it. Put it on the wood first and trim. No clamping, just firmly press the top on and move to the next stick. I think you'll find it will vastly simplify the process with superior results. Only caveat is you need to plan for a few mils of thickness. I find that not an issue.
![[UNCUT] ฝันรักห้วงนิทรา | EP.9 (3/4)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ikd1tEhXbp8/mqdefault.jpg)
If you use a small paint brush and dab the PVC-E glue on the key, you won't have all that excess glue to clean off the sides of the key and your fingers not to mention cleaning off the dried smeared glue on top of the key later. Your keytop glue jig is very nice.
Hey Kurt, thanks for the video. I put my white glue (Bondcrete) on the key top like you do, then I rub the keytop on the stick a dozen or so times until it heats up some then I set the key. It sets solid. Great video .I love your router set up.
Thanks for taking the time to make these videos Kurt. They are enjoyable.
Thanks Thomas Lotito and I’m glad you liked it. Have a great weekend.
What router bit is being used to notch the corner of the key too out so perfectly?
Extremely helpful thank you
Great video Kurt. I'm a piano tech in southern California and I'm in the middle of cleaning up a sloppy keytop job done decades ago by unknown. Since I don't do keytops too often, it's helpful to see videos like yours for tips. I've also used PVC-E glue and it's excellent.
I do have a question. I like your overhead router setup for trimming the sides of the new keytops. But if you use keytops with pre-molded fronts, and the new front is a little too long, how would you go about trimming that? A standard router table setup would work but is there a way with the overhead?
Thanks,
Walter Nirenberg
Very nice job. Can you share the details of the 2 pieces of equipment you were using. Thank you
Wow....How cool is it to find so many people interested in piano repair. I must say its humbling to strike a chord..(pun intended). Thanks for the 👍. Please know that I appreciate you and your interest in the field I love as well. We are all connected in some way, right? Love you all and please visit my facebook page at:
facebook.com/grandpurpose.
God Bless you all,
Kurt Weissman
Hey Manpower, I've only ever done it this way so sorry I can't be of more help there. I guess you could glue the key so the notch is where you want it but then you'd still need to cut the overlap in the front of the key. If you made the jig at :41 differently that could work. You'd still need to file to remove the excess key top material so the key moves freely.
Good luck, Kurt
Hey i was curious as to what you did at 3:08? any alternatives to cutting that notch?
What's the difference between white glue and pvce glu ?
Hi Kurt! Nice video! Can you recommend a product for ebony sharp restoration? I recently inherited my gmas piano from the 40s. I fixed the ivories but would like to freshen up the ebonies ... The right way :). Thanks!
several folks asked about the "custom tool" used for the notch. It is still the router with a jig set up. The keytop is rotated so its edge is facing down. That way, the router bit top blade is cutting the plastic out. Then the key stick is then rotated 90deg so the rest of the plastic is removed. I tried PVC-e, but found it does not bond well to the plastic. I no like.
I found that the glue has a shelf life and should be used when fresh. What glue have you found that works better Tom? You’ve accurately described my key machine. I’ve had this for over 35 years and I must say it works great.
Glad you asked. My shop has moved away from adhesives for keytops, choosing, rather to employ the newer glue tapes. Fast, secure, and it will not cup, discolor, or show through ivories. I get mine from Steve's Piano Service online: FC001 $15. Fast, secure, and I use it for other applications where bonding strength is not required. You can have fun experimenting with it. Put it on the wood first and trim. No clamping, just firmly press the top on and move to the next stick. I think you'll find it will vastly simplify the process with superior results. Only caveat is you need to plan for a few mils of thickness. I find that not an issue.