Pianotech

I am wondering what I should put on the key pins as well as the leather bushings in an 1877 Bechstein to reduce friction ? I have a product called SlipKote I am thinking of using on the pins although I have used Flitz in the past. I read that Balistol is good on leather bushings

but I am thinking Teflon powder is safer applied with a pipe cleaner. If the bushings are tight can they be eased with key pliers, Flugelbauer tool or some other device ? 

The action is sluggish and I will likely have to do some key easing at the balance pin hole  I posted a similar post on the "In the Shop community earlier today with no response yet

Greetings,

The following is a response shared by our venerable colleague, Ed Whitting, RPT. He has given his permission for me to share it here.

"This is regarding Leather Key Bushings. Why they worked in the first place is beyond me. Why they are put in as replacements is another puzzle to me. I have never been able to make them work as trouble-free as felt. I have tried everything under the sun to make leather as friction-free as felt and have not been successful. I put them in a U-1 Yamaha at Disneyland (Ragtime piano played all day and night). After three weeks, I was asked to take them out:  They were too hard on the hands of the players. In that single piano, I reduced the friction somewhat by using McLube 444 on the pins and bushings. 444 is not made anymore, as far as I know. McLube has a new product called Sail Coat. I have used it on two keyframes, and I like it very much; like 444, it bonds to metal IF it is applied according to the directions."

Beat,

Alan 

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Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 08-11-2024 20:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Leather Key Bushings

I am wondering what I should put on the key pins as well as the leather bushings in an 1877 Bechstein to reduce friction ? I have a product called SlipKote I am thinking of using on the pins although I have used Flitz in the past. I read that Balistol is good on leather bushings

but I am thinking Teflon powder is safer applied with a pipe cleaner. If the bushings are tight can they be eased with key pliers, Flugelbauer tool or some other device ? 

The action is sluggish and I will likely have to do some key easing at the balance pin hole  I posted a similar post on the "In the Shop community earlier today with no response yet