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Anybody have the key pin size for a 1975 Steinway upright model 45? I'm doing a set for another technician and he forgot to measure them. He went out of town this morning and won't be back for a week. He wanted them done by the time he gets back.

Thanks
Bill

Bill,

I don't see any reason they should be anything other than standard .146" pins, front and balance. What tmdo the keys "look" like?

Pwg

Peter,
I just finished bushing them assuming that they were the standard size pins (.146). The .147/.150 cauls seemed to match the original bushings.

I use the Accu-bush tool and hide glue. I use an artist brush to apply the glue to the mortise, but am wondering if there is a faster way to apply the glue. Do you have any suggestions?

Yes,

For the front rail make an applicator that mirrors the inside of the mortise...big enough to apply glue to all four surfaces but small enough to easily fit inside the mortise with some space. Essentially an 11/32" square stick, and filed for two shoulders and a central tongue about 3/32" long and 1/16" thick. CA glue bushing cloth to the business portion...one shoulder, over the tongue and on the other shoulder.

When using it (I use hot hide glue), dip in glue, scrape off sides that do not have cloth and quickly apply glue to several keys (4 maybe?)...dip again and scrape and do the same 4 mortises but in the OPPOSITE direction. This evens out the glue application as each one receives slightly less material than the previous one.

You will quickly get the idea.

I will typically apply glue to about 8 or 9 keys, then proceed with cloth and caul insertion (about 12" strip). Of course you need to add urea or salt to the glue to slow down the gel time. I have never used any other type of glue, but the process should be essentially the same. (I also heat the cauls on top of the glue pot [metal cover]).

When I get home I'll try to remember to post a photo of my glue applicators (If I can figure out how to do it).

Pwg

Thanks Peter, that sounds great. Do you ever have problems with excess glue in the mortise?

Occasionally I do. If I'm trying to work too fast it can happen. After all is complete, if there is a blog of glue below (or above depending on your point of view) the bushing, a small chisel usually will pop it out quickly. It should be a rare occurrence though.

What kind of glue do you use?

Pwg

I only use hot hide glue. I also use a small chisel for any bits of glue. I've gotten pretty good at applying the right amount of glue so I don't have that problem, but it is a little bit tedious.

By the way, I really like your Bushmaster tool. I've used it for years.

Thanks, I'm kind of attached to the thing too.

I hope you can get the idea of glue applicator. I cannot figure out how to put a photo on here. I took a pic of all my applicators and my nickel plated Bushmaster.

Pwg

You put pictures in the Piano Photo Gallery, and you can link to them here.

And where do I find the photo gallery?

Pwg

Right under the box where you write a replay, there is a pop-up menu titled "Hop To."