Pianotech

Expand all | Collapse all

Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

  • 1.  Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Member
    Posted 04-24-2019 19:52
    I service a very nice  Hallet and Davis grand piano and I noticed on today's visit that the key slip is bending inwards and was causing keys B3 and C4 to stick. 

    The key slip is curving inwards with most space between the slip and they keys on each end near the cheek blocks. Near middle C the key slip is contacting the keys causing them to stick. 

    Standing looking down on it, there is an obvious curve in the key slip as if it warped inward towards the keys. There are no signs of any water damage and I cannot imagine what might be causing this. 

    I added some space between the keys and the key slip  by shimming between the cheek blocks and the key slip with a folded business card and that worked well, but I'm curious if others have encountered this. 

    More importantly, what is the best or proper remedy for this situation?  

    Thanks!

    Sean

    ------------------------------
    Sean Stafford
    Endicott NY
    607-239-4643
    ------------------------------

    Hallet and Davis


  • 2.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-24-2019 20:42
    Need more information. Age of piano? Solid wood keyslip or metal backed? If metal backed, easy to bend with supporting the ends and pressure in the middle. If solid wood someone else better answer.

    ------------------------------
    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Member
    Posted 04-24-2019 21:39
    Thanks Larry, I'm not having any luck looking the piano up in my app - online piano atlas.   The serial # of this piano is DG​25595 and I copied a picture of a very similar if not identical model below. 

    My estimation is this piano was manufactured around 1990, it's newish, but not new.  I'm sorry that's quite a vague explanation for age. 

    I also wish I had taken a picture of key slip when it was out of the piano. Sorry :(

    There is a metal backing/support on the inside of it. I looked for any way to adjust it but I didn't see anything.

    I do appreciate your response and maybe I can get you some additional information if needed. 

    Thanks!

    Sean
    Hallet and Davis

    ------------------------------
    Sean Stafford
    Endicott NY
    607-239-4643
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-24-2019 21:42
    Hi Sean:
    I usually put a short round head screw into the keyframe in the middle where the keyslip is too close. The screw has to be almost flush, but it will keep the slip away from the keys, and you can adjust it or out to match the gap to the ends. The round head won't snag on the slip as you press the unacorda. As Larry said, often the keyslip has a metal angle iron which is bendable on purpose so the keyslip will become straight. That's the first thing to try, otherwise if it's just wood, you can use a screw. I've also seen front rail cardboard punchings glued to the keyslip for the same purpose. Works good too.
    I hope this helps.
    Paul McCloud




  • 5.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Posted 04-24-2019 22:00
    I agree with Paul.  We do the same thing.  It might be wrong to some, but it definitely works nicely in the field.

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



  • 6.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Posted 04-24-2019 22:02
    It's what I do also.

    ------------------------------
    John Formsma, RPT
    New Albany MS
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-24-2019 22:31
    Same here.

    Pwg

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



  • 8.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Posted 04-25-2019 00:12
    You could pull out the index pins and shim the key frame with felt.

    ------------------------------
    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-25-2019 06:17

    I use the large-headed stainless steel tacks included with Dampp-Chaser undercover kits. There are always some left over after an installation, and I carry extras around for this very purpose. I push the tack into the front rail, and the slippery, low profile head will have minimal impact when the shift pedal is used.

     

    Sent from Mail for Windows 10

     






  • 10.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-25-2019 12:51
    You can insert a thumb tack into the keyframe where it’s sticking. The large ones that come with PLS under covers are good options.

    Joe Wiencek




  • 11.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Member
    Posted 04-25-2019 06:42
    Hi Sean,
    Those key slip issues come up frequently in the pianos exposed to higher humidity swings in my area. I started using my business card magnets, cutup to size, but in the past couple of years have been saving the black velcro strips from the Dampp-Chaser supplies and using either hooks or cloth half to adhere to the front of the keyframe in the areas that need shimming. It seems to work well and allow the keyframe to shift quietly and smoothly when the unacorda is being activated and they stay in place when servicing. Hope this helps.

    Sent from my iPad




  • 12.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Posted 04-25-2019 08:25
    With the metal reinforcement on the back, as others have said, the solution is simple. Lay it across your thighs while sitting, metal side down, and push down on the ends. Takes 10 seconds.

    ------------------------------
    Charles Rempel
    Dampp-Chaser Corporation
    Hendersonville NC
    828-692-8271
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Member
    Posted 04-25-2019 08:40
    Excellent tip on the metal key slips. Thank you. I will do it when needed. Its what I loved about these forums and other than the Chapter I belong to, the only reason I still stick with the PTG despite the bickering of the leadership.

    Sent from my iPhone




  • 14.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-25-2019 09:01
    Hi Sean,

    Does this keyslip have pins at about a third and two thirds going into the keybed?

    Is there a nylon interface with the cheek block?

    Metal angle iron?

    The metal type are easy to fix  .......  bend it.
    The pin type you can sometimes get away with bending the pins slightly.
    In some cases you can remove the nylon part that's mounted on the end of the key slip and add a balance rail punching to shim the rail away from the keyframe.

    Gluing a punching to the key slip as others have suggested works most of the time.

    ------------------------------
    Larry Fisher
    Owner, Chief Grunt, Head Hosehead
    Vancouver WA
    503-310-6965
    Working the gravy zone for the rest of my days.
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: Key slip causing sticking keys - Hallet and Davis

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-26-2019 01:32
    Lots of good ideas here. Assuming this keyslip locks down by virtue of a wedge that mates underneath a corresponding wedge on the cheek blocks, one solution to the symptom could be to put your shims behind the keyslip wedges, they usually are screwed onto the keyslip. 
    As far as actually solving the problem, you have to determine if the metal bracket is actually bent, if it's not then perhaps you can fill the screw holes and refit the keyslip on straight. Also the index pins mentioned above. 
    As to why it's bowed. Does it fit too tight into the cabinet? It might require a little trimming on either end if it's too tight.
    If it's screwed in from the bottom of the keybed, the screw holes might have been poorly drilled. I have run into that with some of the Asian verticals.

    ------------------------------
    Steven Rosenthal
    Honolulu HI
    808-521-7129
    ------------------------------