key for Baldwin Hamilton fallboard/keyslip lock

[Mark Potter]

Greetings -

I realize this is small potatoes in a very large field of spuds, but nevertheless, after 35 years of servicing pianos I find it odd that my first request for providing a key to the 'built-in' lock mechanism for the ubiquitous Baldwin Hamilton has lead me to a dead end, despite the fact that there are... what... probably a million Baldwin Hamiltons floating around out there?

This is NOT the standard triangle OR square 50cent key we're talking about.  Nor does the Yamaha or Steinway key work.  It obviously requires a key similar to the Yamaha or Steinway in that it has an extension, or 'lever', that extends from it's shaft that will engage the locking mechanism.  None of the supply houses carry such a key.  I checked.

I am hoping that, because nearly every technician has crossed paths with this model countless times, that somebody has a source, or other remedy, for keying these locks.  Anyone?

Mark Potter

West Jefferson, OH

[Joseph Garrett]

Mark,

The first person I'd contact would be a clock repairman/maker type dude. They make keys for all of the really old clocks and such that are probably similar. Or.....call a locksmith! A good locksmith should be able to fabricate one. When he does the first one, then have him copy it..several times.<G>

Best,

Joe

Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I
gpianoworks.com

[Ron Nossaman]

On 10/23/2013 7:58 PM, Mark Potter wrote:
> Greetings -
>
> I realize this is small potatoes in a very large field of spuds, but
> nevertheless, after 35 years of servicing pianos I find it odd that my
> first request for providing a key to the 'built-in' lock mechanism for
> the ubiquitous Baldwin Hamilton has lead me to a dead end, despite the
> fact that there are... what... probably a million Baldwin Hamiltons
> floating around out there?
>
> This is NOT the standard triangle OR square 50cent key we're talking
> about. Nor does the Yamaha or Steinway key work. It obviously requires
> a key similar to the Yamaha or Steinway in that it has an extension, or
> 'lever', that extends from it's shaft that will engage the locking
> mechanism. None of the supply houses carry such a key. I checked.
>
> I am hoping that, because nearly every technician has crossed paths with
> this model countless times, that somebody has a source, or other remedy,
> for keying these locks. Anyone?
>
> Mark Potter
> West Jefferson, OH

http://www.pianoaccessoryshop.co.uk/acatalog/Locks___Keys__.html
747A looks like it might be right. I carry one of these on my key ring
in my case, but US supply houses don't carry them any more. I think
APSCO used to carry them.
Ron N

[Mark Potter]

Thanks, Joe.  I immediately thought of a clock repairman, and that might be the eventual route taken.  The key is SO simple that I am sure one could take any number of 'skeleton keys' and with a small amount of filing make it work.  Still, with so many of this model of piano out there, I thought it possible that there might possibly be a ready-made source?  Wishful thinking, yeah, but it certainly seems plausible.

Mark

[Mark Potter]

Thanks, Ron.  It never occurred to me to check overseas.  Why it would be available over there and not over here is puzzling, but that's not the first time that has happened.  Thanks for the lead.  I'll check it out.

Mark Potter

West Jefferson, OH

[AMari...@aol.com]

Maybe take the lock out and bring it to a locksmith. 

[Paul Milesi]

Hi Mark,

I have one of those keys someplace, found still taped to the back of one of about twenty 30-year-old Hamiltons I inherited at Howard University 3 or 4 years ago.  Couldn’t believe it was still there!  I’ll see if I can put my hands on it when I get to school today.  Unfortunately, I have only one, but maybe I can take a pic and share…or take to locksmith for duplication.

Paul

--

Paul Milesi
Staff Piano Technician
Howard University Department of Music
Washington, DC
(202) 806-4565 University Shop/Office
(202) 246-3136 Cell/Text
paul....@howard.edu

[Elwood Doss]

Hi Mark,

We have several of them.  Email me privately and I’ll send you a couple.  ed...@utm.edu.

Joy!

Elwood

 

From: pian...@googlegroups.com [mailto:pian...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Mark Potter
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 7:58 PM
To: pian...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [pianotech] key for Baldwin Hamilton fallboard/keyslip lock

 

Greetings -

Mark Potter

West Jefferson, OH

[lcl...@yahoo.com]

On a related subject --- I had to find a key for an 1885-ish Chickering grand. All that I found that worked was a #4 (if I remember) clock-winding key (available at some jewelers, or online) but I had to bend the "ears" of it to get them to clear the wooden molding above the keyboard, when turned. Thumpe Sent from Yahoo! Mail for iPad

---

From: Mark Potter <88t...@gmail.com>;

To: <pian...@googlegroups.com>;
Subject: [pianotech] key for Baldwin Hamilton fallboard/keyslip lock

Sent: Thu, Oct 24, 2013 12:58:00 AM

[joseph...@gmail.com]

Hi Elwood,

My name is Joseph Goveas. I was searching on google and found a post where you had helped someone by the name of Mark for a Baldwin Hamilton Studio upright piano key  foR the keyslip lock back in 2013.

I have a Baldwin Hamilton Studio upright 243 piano, 1990 model and I am looking for a key.

Do you still have a key which I could use?

Please let me know.

Have a blessed day.

Thank you

[Mark Potter]

Hi Joseph -

I have several Baldwin Hamilton keys. Email me at 88t...@gmail.com.

Mark Potter

West Jefferson, OH

[Geoff Sykes]

Wait a second, Ron. Aren't you dead? Have you found a way to bridge the spirit wall and continue to participate? Yow! Howdjadoit?