Leveling the Keys

Now that the natural keys have been leveled, it's time to level the sharp keys. On the 1st and last sharp keys, add punchings until the top of those sharps are exactly 7/16" [11.1mm] above the tops of the natural keys. Once this is done, it may be easier to level the sharps if you remove all of the natural keys from the key frame as in the illustration below. Again, block the 1st and last sharp keys at the correct height (you will probably need to make higher blocks). Then place the straightedge over the sharps resting on the 1st and last sharp keys. Level all of the sharps to the straightedge. When finished, knock off any blocks that you've added to the key frame. Replace the natural keys onto the key frame and check the entire keyboard visually for any keys that are out of line. Re-level as necessary. You will probably have to re-level the keyboard once again after the instrument is completed because the punchings tend to compress with time which will affect the quality of the key leveling job. When the key leveling is completed, remove all of the keys and flip the punchings on each balance rail pin so that the felt punching is on top.