Pianotech

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

If you want to try, use thinner cloth on one side, thicker on the other.  Split the difference.  On the balance rail bushings, it might cause the key to lean, but probably not much.  On the front rail, use the same size on left or right in case the keys are skewed by thicker on one side or the other.  I would use the key bushing cauls to size the mortise before using the bushing cloth to ensure you have the correct bushing dimension.  Good luck.

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

are you sure you have the correct cloth for the key pin and that you miked the key pin properly ? It seems you would get uneven wear and perhaps pre-mature side play and noise and that the key front would move toward the thinner cloth. Maybe Jurgen has some ideas and you need some weird sized bushing cloth. I send most of my key bushing work to Walker Key Services in Kentucky. They also may have some ideas

If you want to try, use thinner cloth on one side, thicker on the other.  Split the difference.  On the balance rail bushings, it might cause the key to lean, but probably not much.  On the front rail, use the same size on left or right in case the keys are skewed by thicker on one side or the other.  I would use the key bushing cauls to size the mortise before using the bushing cloth to ensure you have the correct bushing dimension.  Good luck.

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

Did you use sizing cauls?  Makes a big difference.

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

Scott,

Based on some of the replies you have received, I feel compelled to ask if your perceived need for two different sizes of bushing cloth on each key is based on a mathematical calculation or on having actually tried out that configuration on a key and found it to be the best fit.

Best, 

Alan 

Did you use sizing cauls?  Makes a big difference.

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

Scott,

Based on some of the replies you have received, I feel compelled to ask if your perceived need for two different sizes of bushing cloth on each key is based on a mathematical calculation or on having actually tried out that configuration on a key and found it to be the best fit.

Best, 

Alan 

Did you use sizing cauls?  Makes a big difference.

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

Have you checked your bushing cloth with a micrometer?  Often cloth varies widely.   Highly recommend using sizing cauls and heated AccuCauls.

Scott,

Based on some of the replies you have received, I feel compelled to ask if your perceived need for two different sizes of bushing cloth on each key is based on a mathematical calculation or on having actually tried out that configuration on a key and found it to be the best fit.

Best, 

Alan 

Did you use sizing cauls?  Makes a big difference.

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

I can't measure felt thickness with anything else than this.  Consistent spring tension pressing on the plates provides accurate and repeatable results. 

Allan Sutton, m.mus. RPT, TEC
www.pianotechniquemontreal.com

Have you checked your bushing cloth with a micrometer?  Often cloth varies widely.   Highly recommend using sizing cauls and heated AccuCauls.

Scott,

Based on some of the replies you have received, I feel compelled to ask if your perceived need for two different sizes of bushing cloth on each key is based on a mathematical calculation or on having actually tried out that configuration on a key and found it to be the best fit.

Best, 

Alan 

Did you use sizing cauls?  Makes a big difference.

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

Did you use sizing cauls?  Makes a big difference.

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

Bill Spurlock recommended doing this when necessary to get a good fit.

Check his articles and you may find it in print.

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

My experience with measurements in key bushing has led me to not put a lot of faith in them.  There are several imponderables that can have a noticeable effect on the end results.  The hardness of the wood, both in the key sticks for the front rail and in the key buttons for the balance rail; the kind of glue you use; how well sized the bushing cloth is; what process you used to remove the old bushings. . .all these things can affect the finished result.   For that reason I do samples of different size cloth.   It's not just more reliable, it's also faster--though not in the sense that you get instant results.   You still have to wait for the bushing cauls to come out (24 hours) and then a day for the cloth to settle, but in the meantime you can move on to other stuff. The longer you leave the cauls in the more stable and uniform the result.   On the other hand, if I have a set of keys where there is a lot of variation in the mortises due to wear or degraded wood, I'll take the cauls out sooner for a tighter fit and even everything out by easing the keys. Where the mortises exhibit a lot of difference it's usually because the word itself is spongy.

There are other things that are important to achieving a uniform result.  When I buy bushing cloth I buy a large quantity of it because even the cloth of the same supplier will vary in thickness over time.  ( Keep in mind you'll seldom need the thin and I only use the thick under duress because it's prone to swell under humid conditions.) Likewise I stick to the glue I prefer, because I'm used to working with it and it gives a predictable result.  

Bill Spurlock recommended doing this when necessary to get a good fit.

Check his articles and you may find it in print.

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

This card is at the top of my bushing cloth bin. It enables me to quickly test and decide on the best thickness for the job. Hopefully I have a lifetime supply of Pianotek cloth, since I am also out of business!

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 07-17-2023 14:57
From: Cecil Snyder
Subject: mix key bushing cloth sizes?

My experience with measurements in key bushing has led me to not put a lot of faith in them.  There are several imponderables that can have a noticeable effect on the end results.  The hardness of the wood, both in the key sticks for the front rail and in the key buttons for the balance rail; the kind of glue you use; how well sized the bushing cloth is; what process you used to remove the old bushings. . .all these things can affect the finished result.   For that reason I do samples of different size cloth.   It's not just more reliable, it's also faster--though not in the sense that you get instant results.   You still have to wait for the bushing cauls to come out (24 hours) and then a day for the cloth to settle, but in the meantime you can move on to other stuff. The longer you leave the cauls in the more stable and uniform the result.   On the other hand, if I have a set of keys where there is a lot of variation in the mortises due to wear or degraded wood, I'll take the cauls out sooner for a tighter fit and even everything out by easing the keys. Where the mortises exhibit a lot of difference it's usually because the word itself is spongy.

There are other things that are important to achieving a uniform result.  When I buy bushing cloth I buy a large quantity of it because even the cloth of the same supplier will vary in thickness over time.  ( Keep in mind you'll seldom need the thin and I only use the thick under duress because it's prone to swell under humid conditions.) Likewise I stick to the glue I prefer, because I'm used to working with it and it gives a predictable result.  

------------------------------
Cecil Snyder RPT
Torrance CA
(310) 542-7108

Original Message:
Sent: 07-16-2023 18:26
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: mix key bushing cloth sizes?

Bill Spurlock recommended doing this when necessary to get a good fit.

Check his articles and you may find it in print.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 07-15-2023 20:47
From: Scott Cole
Subject: mix key bushing cloth sizes?

Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?

------------------------------
Scott Cole, RPT
rvpianotuner.com
Talent, OR
(541-601-9033
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Has anyone every mixed two different sizes of bushing cloth for key bushings? On my current rebushing job, medium thin is too thin, and medium is too thick.

I suppose I can ease the medium down, but just wondering if there's an issue with mixing sizes. Would it really change the regulation?