Wow, it has been awhile since I posted a blog based on a series of pictures. Most of the recent posts I’ve written have been about recordings or they’ve focused on a quick video. Programming and recording don’t make for particularly important pictures. Finally I’m working with my hands again. Wood working no less.
Enough background.
----------
Considerable time was spent at a home improvement store looking for adequate lumber. Before shopping the intention was to spend more money on lumber which would be easier to work with. Premium quality wood was not thick enough for this project so a pine 2x2 (approximately 35mm x 35mm timber) was purchased for the keys. Pine 1x8 (approximately 19mm x 190mm timber) was also purchased to mount everything.
The 2x2 lumber was cut into 7” (178mm) lengths. 7” (178mm) was the length of the white keys. This was supposed to be 8” (203mm) but the wood was cut short by accident so it seemed best to continue with the mistake. After the length was cut the width of the keys was ripped on a table saw. Each white key was 7/8” (22.5mm) wide and each black key was 1/2” (12.1mm) wide. They keys were all the thickness of the lumber so 1 1/2” (35mm)
By far the most difficult part was cutting away the excess wood in the white keys to make room for the black keys. Spaces and measurements had been made beforehand which simplified the process but making the required cuts was not a simple matter. Most of the problem was cutting a straight line the length of the keys. A bandsaw was used but it did not make an accurate line. Some of the roughness was sanded away but the inaccuracy remained.
Holes were drilled in all of the keys. This hole was slightly larger than the rod which would go through the keys. In this case a 1/4" bolt was used but a 6mm would work equally well. A 17/64 drill bit was used so metric builder should use a 6.5mm or 7mm drill bit.
All the white keys were lined up to see the space between the keys where the black keys would go. Alignment was imperfect and another method of producing keys may have to be found. Perhaps laser-cut acrylic could be made or CNC-cut wood.
The black keys were shortened to approximately 3 5/8” (90mm). This length was not measured but it was slowly adjusted over numerous cuts to find a length where the black and white keys would not bind when pressed. When all the keys were cut they were assembled on a bolt. Weights need to be attached to the back end so the keys currently droop.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
Enough background.
----------
Considerable time was spent at a home improvement store looking for adequate lumber. Before shopping the intention was to spend more money on lumber which would be easier to work with. Premium quality wood was not thick enough for this project so a pine 2x2 (approximately 35mm x 35mm timber) was purchased for the keys. Pine 1x8 (approximately 19mm x 190mm timber) was also purchased to mount everything.
Selected lumber. Pine 2x2 and pine 1x8
The 2x2 lumber was cut into 7” (178mm) lengths. 7” (178mm) was the length of the white keys. This was supposed to be 8” (203mm) but the wood was cut short by accident so it seemed best to continue with the mistake. After the length was cut the width of the keys was ripped on a table saw. Each white key was 7/8” (22.5mm) wide and each black key was 1/2” (12.1mm) wide. They keys were all the thickness of the lumber so 1 1/2” (35mm)
2x2 cut into key widths
By far the most difficult part was cutting away the excess wood in the white keys to make room for the black keys. Spaces and measurements had been made beforehand which simplified the process but making the required cuts was not a simple matter. Most of the problem was cutting a straight line the length of the keys. A bandsaw was used but it did not make an accurate line. Some of the roughness was sanded away but the inaccuracy remained.
Cutting away material in white keys
Holes were drilled in all of the keys. This hole was slightly larger than the rod which would go through the keys. In this case a 1/4" bolt was used but a 6mm would work equally well. A 17/64 drill bit was used so metric builder should use a 6.5mm or 7mm drill bit.
Drilling offset 17/64” hole in keys
All the white keys were lined up to see the space between the keys where the black keys would go. Alignment was imperfect and another method of producing keys may have to be found. Perhaps laser-cut acrylic could be made or CNC-cut wood.
White keys with wood removed
The black keys were shortened to approximately 3 5/8” (90mm). This length was not measured but it was slowly adjusted over numerous cuts to find a length where the black and white keys would not bind when pressed. When all the keys were cut they were assembled on a bolt. Weights need to be attached to the back end so the keys currently droop.
All keys on a single bolt
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com/
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All
information in this blog, or linked by this blog, are not to be taken
as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or
in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of
functionality, money, property or similar, is the responsibility of
those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes
the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained
within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion
of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account
owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments
to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner.
No one posting may claim claim property or assets based on their post.
2016-06-06 (M)
Comments
Post a Comment