Stripping the action – Removing the keys

The keys are held in place by a long notched board running along the back of the keys.  This is held in place by 4 screws.  The bellow shows after the notched board has been removed.  Now each key is just held by a few pins on a pin board.

I gently stripped each key from its pins remembering to label them on the underside in pencil so I can get them back on in the correct order.

Here you can see half the keys removed.  Each key has a pin at the back and one at the front to keep it in place.  The pin in the middle is the sprung lever the key acts on to produce the sound.

Here you can see the little levels under some of the keys.  These are the couplers. When one of the stops is pulled it tips the board with the couplers engaging them.  Then when you press one note a second is played at the same time.

The harm’ looks a little like a man with no teeth now.. but there’s worse to come.

Here’s now a clearer view.  You can also see two mettle rods going across the peg board.  One is just for strength but the other is part of the swell stop.

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