Pianotech

<sub>Steinway B with a seriously warped keyslip, evidently from years of being stuck on the OUTSIDE of the bass keyblock screw, rather than hooked over it like it Is supposed to be. It has developed quite a bend as a result.

What I have done thus far is to glue cloth punchings in the innermost area of the warp and basically force it straight so it does not bear on any key fronts.

My question is do you think this will eventually unwarp it, or is there some other tactic I can pursue to straighten the thing?  What have others done (if anything)?</sub>

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

I'd bet it was never engaging the screw properly, because it was warped to start with. It will not unwarp. You could kerf it or just force it to behave as you have and call it a job.

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2018 19:51
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Warped keyslip

<sub>Steinway B with a seriously warped keyslip, evidently from years of being stuck on the OUTSIDE of the bass keyblock screw, rather than hooked over it like it Is supposed to be. It has developed quite a bend as a result.

What I have done thus far is to glue cloth punchings in the innermost area of the warp and basically force it straight so it does not bear on any key fronts.

My question is do you think this will eventually unwarp it, or is there some other tactic I can pursue to straighten the thing?  What have others done (if anything)?</sub>

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Totally agree.  There are so danged many things just like this that you simply have to "make work" as best you can unless your customer will agree to the cost of making it perfect.

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Ted Rohde
Central Illinois
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2018 20:27
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: Warped keyslip

I'd bet it was never engaging the screw properly, because it was warped to start with. It will not unwarp. You could kerf it or just force it to behave as you have and call it a job.

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2018 19:51
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Warped keyslip

<sub>Steinway B with a seriously warped keyslip, evidently from years of being stuck on the OUTSIDE of the bass keyblock screw, rather than hooked over it like it Is supposed to be. It has developed quite a bend as a result.

What I have done thus far is to glue cloth punchings in the innermost area of the warp and basically force it straight so it does not bear on any key fronts.

My question is do you think this will eventually unwarp it, or is there some other tactic I can pursue to straighten the thing?  What have others done (if anything)?</sub>

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Use approx # 4 3/8” or 1/2 “ round Head screw, placed in front side of the key frame, between it and the key slip. Drill between the key pins. Place in the most advantageous spot to straighten slip bow.
The key frame will slide on the round headed screw. Screw it in until the right distance is achieved.
It’s a miraculous fix. Roger Jolly fix.

Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

Totally agree.  There are so danged many things just like this that you simply have to "make work" as best you can unless your customer will agree to the cost of making it perfect.

------------------------------
Ted Rohde
Central Illinois
------------------------------

It might be easier, and look better, to just buy a new one.

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Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2018 19:51
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Warped keyslip

<sub>Steinway B with a seriously warped keyslip, evidently from years of being stuck on the OUTSIDE of the bass keyblock screw, rather than hooked over it like it Is supposed to be. It has developed quite a bend as a result.

What I have done thus far is to glue cloth punchings in the innermost area of the warp and basically force it straight so it does not bear on any key fronts.

My question is do you think this will eventually unwarp it, or is there some other tactic I can pursue to straighten the thing?  What have others done (if anything)?</sub>

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Normally I would have installed the screw, however being a performance instrument it will likely get a fair amount of left pedal action which would dig into the wood. Therefore I opted for the cloth punchings instead.

Makes sense that it warped first, and then got caught on the screw (probably that person's solution to keeping it from interfering with keys).

Simple is often the best solution, I guess.

Thx

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2018 21:37
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Warped keyslip

It might be easier, and look better, to just buy a new one.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2018 19:51
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Warped keyslip

<sub>Steinway B with a seriously warped keyslip, evidently from years of being stuck on the OUTSIDE of the bass keyblock screw, rather than hooked over it like it Is supposed to be. It has developed quite a bend as a result.

What I have done thus far is to glue cloth punchings in the innermost area of the warp and basically force it straight so it does not bear on any key fronts.

My question is do you think this will eventually unwarp it, or is there some other tactic I can pursue to straighten the thing?  What have others done (if anything)?</sub>

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

I use the large-headed stainless tacks included with the Dampp-Chaser bottom cover kits. Easy to "install" and won't impede the shift function. I suppose if the warpage is really bad one might use a punching under the tack head.

------------------------------
Mark Dierauf
Concord NH
603-225-4652
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2018 19:51
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Warped keyslip

<sub>Steinway B with a seriously warped keyslip, evidently from years of being stuck on the OUTSIDE of the bass keyblock screw, rather than hooked over it like it Is supposed to be. It has developed quite a bend as a result.

What I have done thus far is to glue cloth punchings in the innermost area of the warp and basically force it straight so it does not bear on any key fronts.

My question is do you think this will eventually unwarp it, or is there some other tactic I can pursue to straighten the thing?  What have others done (if anything)?</sub>

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

How old is the piano?  Order a new one.  Not that expensive (finished about $300 - $350) and if the piano is under warranty still they'll give it to you.  I've had to do that periodically.  You can try unwarping it by clamping one end in a wood working bench vise (see photo below) and bending it with your hand by pulling on the unclamped end while applying heat with a heat gun along the unfinished side and holding it until it cools but it doesn't always work and you do have to be careful not to damage the finish.  Otherwise you're stuck attaching something to the key frame or inside of the keyslip to prevent it from binding on the keys.  Not hard to do that, a front rail punching  or similar will do the trick, but it does rub when engaging the una corda pedal, though not likely to produce any significant noise.  



------------------------------
David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2018 19:51
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Warped keyslip

<sub>Steinway B with a seriously warped keyslip, evidently from years of being stuck on the OUTSIDE of the bass keyblock screw, rather than hooked over it like it Is supposed to be. It has developed quite a bend as a result.

What I have done thus far is to glue cloth punchings in the innermost area of the warp and basically force it straight so it does not bear on any key fronts.

My question is do you think this will eventually unwarp it, or is there some other tactic I can pursue to straighten the thing?  What have others done (if anything)?</sub>

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Long put of warranty.  80's piano.

My only concern is that the amount of outward pressure on the bass side mounting screw over time might cause the little dovetail to break out. I have reduced it a little by turning it out. Just a mild concern.

I had not thought of heating it (like a hammershank). If I still had it in the shop I would try it. Not now though. 

Thanks for the input.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-19-2018 10:57
From: David Love
Subject: Warped keyslip

How old is the piano?  Order a new one.  Not that expensive (finished about $300 - $350) and if the piano is under warranty still they'll give it to you.  I've had to do that periodically.  You can try unwarping it by clamping one end in a wood working bench vise (see photo below) and bending it with your hand by pulling on the unclamped end while applying heat with a heat gun along the unfinished side and holding it until it cools but it doesn't always work and you do have to be careful not to damage the finish.  Otherwise you're stuck attaching something to the key frame or inside of the keyslip to prevent it from binding on the keys.  Not hard to do that, a front rail punching  or similar will do the trick, but it does rub when engaging the una corda pedal, though not likely to produce any significant noise.



------------------------------
David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2018 19:51
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Warped keyslip

<sub>Steinway B with a seriously warped keyslip, evidently from years of being stuck on the OUTSIDE of the bass keyblock screw, rather than hooked over it like it Is supposed to be. It has developed quite a bend as a result.

What I have done thus far is to glue cloth punchings in the innermost area of the warp and basically force it straight so it does not bear on any key fronts.

My question is do you think this will eventually unwarp it, or is there some other tactic I can pursue to straighten the thing?  What have others done (if anything)?</sub>

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------