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Heat Shrink Tubing

  • 1.  Heat Shrink Tubing

    Posted 12-12-2022 16:22
    I just ordered some heat shrink tubing for use on Balance and front pins. Any tips or suggestions?
    Thanks in advance.
    -chris

    ------------------------------
    Chernobieff Piano Restorations
    "Where Tone is Key, and Mammoths are not extinct."
    865-986-7720 (text only please)
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Heat Shrink Tubing

    Member
    Posted 12-12-2022 19:20
    Why would you use heat shrink tubing on key pins ? Protection from rust & tarnish ?

    ------------------------------
    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Heat Shrink Tubing

    Posted 12-12-2022 20:24
    To lower the coefficient of friction, and as another tool to fix a loose fit.



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  • 4.  RE: Heat Shrink Tubing

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-12-2022 21:20

    To lower the coefficient of friction, and as another tool to fix a loose fit.

    Hmm,  I don't think the heat shrink is going to be slicker than polished nickel plating,(or the WNG anodized),  and if there is a loose fit, that would mean the felt has deteriorated.   If I encountered an action with heat shrink on the pins, I would just shake my head at such a band-aid treatment.  



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  • 5.  RE: Heat Shrink Tubing

    Posted 12-12-2022 21:59
    Hmm..slicker than teflon??



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  • 6.  RE: Heat Shrink Tubing

    Posted 12-12-2022 23:28
    Hi, Chris,

    A little more research, perhaps.

    Teflon is slick for some applications; and performs other functions for
    others.

    I use it a good deal in electronics work not because it restricts RF or
    IF interference; but because it handles fairly high temperatures without
    too much physical distortion (which would lead to mechanical failure of
    protecting a soldered or non-soldered joint.

    In those applications, I don't think of it as being slick.

    In piano applications, in which teflon is usually seen as a finely
    ground powder, it's a whole different thing.

    While I basically agree with Ed, I'm sure there would be interest in
    some reductive analysis of your proposition.

    Kind regards.

    Horace

    On 12/12/2022 6:59 PM, Chris Chernobieff via Piano Technicians Guild wrote:
    > Hmm..slicker than teflon??
    >
    > -------------------------------------------
    > Original Message:
    > Sent: 12/12/2022 9:20:00 PM
    > From: Edward Foote
    > Subject: RE: Heat Shrink Tubing
    >
    >
    > To lower the coefficient of friction, and as another tool to fix a loose fit.
    > Hmm, I don't think the heat shrink is going to be slicker than polished nickel plating,(or the WNG anodized), and if there is a loose fit, that would mean the felt has deteriorated. If I encountered an action with heat shrink on the pins, I would just shake my head at such a band-aid treatment.
    >
    > -------------------------------------------
    > Original Message:
    > Sent: 12/12/2022 8:24:00 PM
    > From: Chris Chernobieff
    > Subject: RE: Heat Shrink Tubing
    >
    > To lower the coefficient of friction, and as another tool to fix a loose fit.
    >
    > -------------------------------------------
    > Original Message:
    > Sent: 12/12/2022 7:20:00 PM
    > From: James Kelly
    > Subject: RE: Heat Shrink Tubing
    >
    > Why would you use heat shrink tubing on key pins ? Protection from rust & tarnish ?
    >
    > ------------------------------
    > James Kelly
    > Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    > Pawleys Island SC
    > (843) 325-4357
    > ------------------------------
    > -------------------------------------------
    > Original Message:
    > Sent: 12-12-2022 16:21
    > From: Chris Chernobieff
    > Subject: Heat Shrink Tubing
    >
    > I just ordered some heat shrink tubing for use on Balance and front pins. Any tips or suggestions?
    > Thanks in advance.
    > -chris
    >
    > ------------------------------
    > Chernobieff Piano Restorations
    > "Where Tone is Key, and Mammoths are not extinct."
    > 865-986-7720 (text only please)
    > ------------------------------
    >
    >
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    >
    > Reply to Discussion : https://my.ptg.org/eGroups/PostReply/?GroupId=43&MID=758686
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Heat Shrink Tubing

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-12-2022 23:58
    There is a teflon heat shrink tubing - PTFE heat shrink tubing. McMaster-Carr has it as does Amazon.
    It's going to add to the diameter of the pin which probably isn't helpful and the problem is with the felt, not the pin. For me that type of fix gets me in trouble.
    Knight used plastic sleeves on their keyrail pins. I think just the balance.

    ------------------------------
    Steven Rosenthal RPT
    Honolulu HI
    (808) 521-7129
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Heat Shrink Tubing

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-13-2022 00:01
    Also, on the balance rail you have to consider the hole in the bottom of the key, I suppose you just wouldn't run it down that far.

    ------------------------------
    Steven Rosenthal RPT
    Honolulu HI
    (808) 521-7129
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Heat Shrink Tubing

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-13-2022 07:53

    Also, on the balance rail you have to consider the hole in the bottom of the key, I suppose you just wouldn't run it down that far.

    Hmm,  you still have to get the key over it, so the balance rail hole is going to have to fit over the teflon, which would argue for having it all the way down the length of the pin. I also question the abrasion resistance of the heat shrink, which it will need if felt is rubbing against it.  Having seen hi use, older pianos with the key pins worn at the top, I would consider a plastic sleeve to be a lot less than durable,

       However, the big question is why?  WNG already has pins that are as slick as one can get and more durable than anything on the market. 
    Regards, 



    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Heat Shrink Tubing

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-13-2022 02:04
    Hmm, if you remove the key from the pin before you heat-shrink the diameter-increaser onto the pin, how will you get the key back onto the pin? 

    Mark Schecter
     | |   | | |   | |   | | |   | |   | | | 




    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Heat Shrink Tubing

    Member
    Posted 12-13-2022 09:53
    Many good points have been made. Felt is abrasive so I wonder how it will wear into the tubing. I was wondering if there is a very thin teflon tape that could be stuck onto the felt bushings where they contact the pins. I have something called slick tape used for sliding woodworking jigs, sticking drawers and doors. May even try it out.  The WN&G are probably the best way to go although you may need to drill out some of the existing key pin holes for inserts

    Short lengths of the teflon shrink tubing may be worth experimenting with

    ------------------------------
    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Heat Shrink Tubing

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-13-2022 12:26

    Ed McMorrow introduced me to this technique.  To me, it's main function/advantage would be on the front key pins, where rebushing might be called for but either wood conditions or cost might be prohibitive.  The other condition it would help to remediate would be abraded front pins, along with excess side to side slop, where the additional thickness of the tubing would address both conditions.  

    Two other things:
    - the particular dimension and type of tubing (there ARE differences) was difficult to secure, a while ago, at least in any reasonably small quantity.
    - computer mouse tape is the thinnest teflon type tape I've seen - but I don't see it listed as such any more.  Closest seems to be this:
    https://www.mcmaster.com/ptfe-tape/ultra-low-friction-tape-made-with-teflon-ptfe/

    I agree that I don't understand the functionality of this application at the balance pin, for the reasons already mentioned, unless you proposed to insert the tubing (of maybe 1/2" max) after the key is in place, mainly to firm up the fit at the top of the pin.  For frictional benefit, the front rail would be a more likely site to explore.



    ------------------------------
    David Skolnik [RPT]
    Hastings-on-Hudson NY
    (917) 589-2625
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Heat Shrink Tubing

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-13-2022 19:25

    I agree, I think that's overthinking it.  I wouldn't put shrink wrap on key pins. 




    Original Message