Old piano keys

[Big-Un]

I've just received a couple bags of old piano keys and was wondering if anyone has any ideas of how to separate the ivory from the wood without destroying it. I want to keep the ivory as clean as possible.

 

[Brian Marshall]

Those were a "gift", right?.... that'd be the first step - nowadays.


B.

 

[Darrell]

get hold of someone that refurbishes old pianos, they have to have a trick, my guess would to band saw as close to Ivory as possible, then block sand off the glue.

 

[Ron Spokovich]

I have about 10-20 piano keys, ivory, that have been parted from their wood blocks. I don't see any saw marks, but some of the adhesive is still there whatever it may be. Possibly, the guy used acetone to break the bond, which I've used to break loose epoxied surfaces. . .it just takes a while. It seems like they just fell off or broke their bond from age, as the surface looks like that. The piano restorer guys must have a way of dealing with that. Maybe acetone will work?

 

[Mike_Morgan]

WAYYYYYYY back in my earlier years, I worked at the Aolean American Piano Factory in East Rochester NY, I worked in the factory building Pianos... sounds like a fun job... believe me, it wasn't. ANYWAY... If the Piano the keys were on is old enough (and it probably is), The Ivory is held on with Hide glue. Use a heat gun or an iron to heat the ivory, and when it starts to release gently use a thin blade to pry it off the wood.

 

[SamW]

Mike has the ticket...just go slow with the heat.

 

[tortlieb@verizon.net]

this might work to remove ivory

Old wood workers trick is to use vinager just plane old white vinager. Soak it over night and it should turn the glue to a gummy concistancy. Once it is wet do not let it dry out or the glue will return to hard glue. Try one and see if it works. That is generaly used to soften up wood glue but I am assuming that is what they used to attatch it in the first place. I hope it works for you

 

[mtgraver]

Bill, You might want to try using an old steam iron and a sharpen razor knife. All the keys I've used over the years have no pry marks and doesn't appear to be hide glue but I'm thinking whatever it is will reverse with water. Many keys I have are warped which leads me to believe the moisture wherever they came from released them from the wood. Heck buddy, they might just pop off with a slight persuasion of a knife. I trust you're doing well my friend.
Mark

 

[Big-Un]

Thanks for the information guys. Yes, they were a gift from a friend and the piano was from either a grandparent or great-grandparent, and my friend is my age!

Mark, I'm doing well and thank you for asking. Thought I might try my hand at some scrimshaw, maybe mess up a few keys in the process. In looking over the keys, I was surprised to see the ivory goes way back on the wood, further than I would ever have thought. Maybe after some practice on these I'll try and decorate my old cow's horn, the black one I told you about. And yes, I remember what you told me about the old way they were done. I just need more practice and study before attempting anything on it. Hope you're well my friend.

Might not be able to do much until after Christmas as my "character's" popularity has become quite in demand this year. Seems more folks have found me and I have a hard time saying NO to the kids. One of my professional photographers put her scheduled session times on Facebook and sold them all in 6 minutes, had to add another session to accommodate the waiting list. Guess I'll scrim some in January.

 

[Jahn Baker]

Mike, the vinegar trick works great with wood, not so well with ivory. Vinegar can cause an adverse reaction with the ivory, as can moisture. (ie. warping and cracking) The gentle heating with a heat gun and prying with a razor knife would be my go-to technique.

 

[Big-Un]

I'll be trying the heat gun technique in a few days..sounds like the way to go. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Steve Adams]

Slightly related. I have an old ivory piano key and wanted to use it with an engraving. Am I no longer allowed to use ivory if the product is for sale? Sorry, but I've been out of the loop on this.

 

[Bluetickhound]

Just take Mikes advice... It's almost a certainty that hide glue was used as it was the adhesive of choice for luthiers... It should loosen up with a SLOW application of heat, no more than 175 degrees. The hide glue I use on the mandolins I've built work about like that. If I need to disassemble, a heat gun carefully applied on low heat and a butter knife will do the trick.