Hi Mike,
I've noticed that the room temperature has an effect on chipping. My shop in is a semi-finished basement which is below grade, so the temperature is always on the cool side. I found that cold keytops will chip more easily.
Now I place a group of 8 to 10 keys waiting to go through the router under a lamp. I'm not making them hot, just less cool. That reduced the chipping I was getting.
Are you getting the chipping when you trim the side overhang or when you cut the notch?
You could also try and find an Osland machine, perhaps someone has one they are not using.
David Weiss
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David Weiss
Charlottesville VA
434-823-9733
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-06-2018 03:10
From: Michael Kurta
Subject: Keytop material problems
Esteemed Colleagues:
My most recent (2 months ago) order of keytops from Schaff are posing problems. They seem to be much harder material than previously. This makes edge chipping common when trimming with a router even though I'm using new carbide bits and going very slowly. Also hand filing is more difficult and time consuming. When I asked Pianotek if their tops are better, Bob M said no, we buy from the same supplier, Kluge, and we have the same problems. Any comments?
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Mike Kurta, RPT
N. Michigan chapter
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