Checking the Fit

Using your homemade rear slot jig (see page 15) check the fit of the pin in the slot (see Chapter 35 - Jigs for instruction on building this jig). It should be too tight. Using the small, flat file, enlarge the slot a little at a time until the pin slides into the slot with no resistance. Use the guide lines, which should still be visible on the key, to determine how much wood to take off each side of the slot. Do not make the slot too wide. More is not better! Excess play in the fit will allow the front of the key to wobble left to right, which is undesirable. It will also make the key noisy as the wood clicks against the steel pin. However, if the slot is too narrow the key will not return to its rest position - not good! Remember, the slot must be positioned in the same place as the original hole.