I have also had good results that are long lasting using profelt and cauls, even on heavily-used university pianos.
I tried to partially insert cauls recently and then apply the profelt, but in my case, the profelt didn’t soak all the way down.
To avoid risking glue failure, I have found to not soak too many bushings in advance of caul insertion (4-5 maybe?) This probably is dependent on which glue is used too. I had kluge bushings trying to squirm away from the key button sides when I soaked 15-20 in advance.
I would also add that if your bushings have wings (Kawai, or front,) I would certainly recommend double shouldered cauls so the wings don’t lift off their moorings.
Joe Wiencek
NYC
Original Message:
Sent: 1/23/2021 9:32:00 PM
From: Alan Eder
Subject: RE: VS Profelt Limitations?
Thanks for this useful tip, Tim! When we have had bushings come out while applying Profelt and cauls, it has been while pushing the cauls in.
So good to know the the Profelt can still get where it needs to go with the caul already partially inserted. Very cool.
Alan
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Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-23-2021 10:06
From: Tim Coates
Subject: VS Profelt Limitations?
I've found Profelt to be very helpful. The loosening of the glue joint issue was resolved by a subcontractor I use for some of this work. First the Bushmaster cauls are partially installed and then the Profelt is applied. Once the felt is wet the caul is firmly installed. The Profelt saturates the felt even with the caul partially installed first. 24 hour drying time is the shortest time I wait to remove cauls, the longer the better.
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Tim Coates
Sioux Falls SD
Original Message:
Sent: 01-23-2021 08:45
From: Peter Grey
Subject: VS Profelt Limitations?
If the wear is "a little beyond" what I would like to see, I have been known to apply 1 or 2 drops on each bushing ONLY on the business area (where the pin contacts and tends to be compressed and hard), and let dry without cauls. I have found that this "restores" the function of the bushings for the most part and improves the feel significantly.
However, I always take the worst one of the bunch and do a test run to evaluate the results first, before deciding whether to go global or rebush. If it works and we are only doing a recon job it is a simple way to reasonable improvement.
Pwg
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Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
Original Message:
Sent: 01-22-2021 07:16
From: Petrus Janssen
Subject: VS Profelt Limitations?
Hello Terry,
As long as the bushing cloth is in good shape, I have many times needled them inserted the proper size Spurlock cauls and applied the vs profelt. After letting them dry for 24 hours, they have -so far for me at least- always come out with a very nice and consistent fit.
I have one action in my workshop that I'm working on and the balance key bushings underwent that treatment yesterday. This morning I'll remove the cauls and then the fronts are next in line.
Peter
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Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
Original Message:
Sent: 01-22-2021 05:10
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: VS Profelt Limitations?
I have an action in my shop for regulation. I checked the key bushing play when I picked the action up and they were not too bad. After getting it back in my shop I realize that some twirp had rotated the front keypins to snug them up. The bushings look like they are in good shape otherwise (not old and crusty or falling out). Any opinions on the chances that an application of VS Profelt will fluff things up so that I can have a proper fit on the keypins when aligned straight? Any specific suggestions on method to make the VS Profelt have maximum effect? I have very little experience with VS Profelt.
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Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
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