Thread: Ebony n Ivory

Yep, If i was in sydney I would grab it myself. With normally around 40 chunks of ivory and around 20 of ebony that would allow you to make a few dozen very unique pens!

Go for it!!!

There would be about 36 ebony pieces (hoping wide enough to do some fancy slim lines) and probably only about 30 bits of ivory. The ivory obviously is laminated on top of the timber keys (some have fallen off over time)

Rich

Hang on hang on, I'm a bit worried about the number of keys you blokes a talking about. I always thought a pyanna had 88 keys.

I'd imagine how many keys are available depends on how many disreputable pen-turners have already wandered by with screwdrivers.

Originally Posted by Termite

Hang on hang on, I'm a bit worried about the number of keys you blokes a talking about. I always thought a pyanna had 88 keys.

Sorry you're right. I keep thinking of pipe organ keyboards (my dad's hobby) which typically have 61.

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

I'd imagine how many keys are available depends on how many disreputable pen-turners have already wandered by with screwdrivers.

ok ok, i may have found one that was dislodged .. kinda

And yeah, 88 keys total, of which I think 36 are black, leaving 52 ivory ? .. is that right?

AND .. has anyone actually made pens from piano keys here??? ..

Ta again

Rich.

funny you should ask the question. I was speaking to a mate of mine who is a piano tuner & rerstorer

We were thinking of breaking down old junker pianos for the wood & stuff they are made of rather than burning them or taking them to the tip
At tha moment he takes at least 3 or 4 old joeys to the tip every year.

There are heap of old pianos out there that are just mechanicaly past fixing and people who just want you to take them away.

For a lot of people over half a ton of junk sitting in their living room is a real problem.

cheers

I picked up on old organ today........

No not mine.....

A real old organ made from solid cherry and the keys are ebony and ivory, I will start to break it down tomorrow and stash the outcome for later use.

Al

Ok ..... keyboard in . . (pic 1)

Keyboard stripped :eek: of all bone (pretty sure is bone, not ivory.. but not sure how to tell the difference) , ebony and what looks like beechwood parts . . (pic 2)

Must be envious of the craftsman who make these ... they are such precision instruments hey . . I did feel somewhat guilty pulling the thing apart. ... (pic 3)

Ok, guilt over, gonna make some ruddy nice pens now

Til next time ..

Rich.

Skewpid

Have you turned any ivory yet if so how did it go.
We picked up some the other day but havnt had the time to do anything with it so far.
Paid about 50cents a strip .
Dont know if thats fair or not

Again .. not sure if its ivory, or just bone... would have to be pretty old to actually be ivory . .

Heres a pic of what I did the other day . . or a link . . or something, not sure yet.

Normal to turn, just gotta slow down when ya hit the bone, otherwise you get ridges happening .

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...7&d=1158679304

Hi guys, I'm not a Pen-er but I saw the Ebony/Ivory title and drew my interest. That is one special looking pen. Jumps right out at you. I often wondered why some get so excited over turning another pen but with the results of your find, I can see why now. I turned a few a while back but lost interest as I was doing the same thing over and over, etc.
But with your Ebony pen .... WoW! :eek: Thanks for the posting and getting my interest stimulated.

Don't feel guilty, if you don't strip it apart it will end up totaly wasted in the tip or fire.
There has to be plenty of stuff that can be made out of what you have there.
cheers

Hickory try different kits there is plenty to keep your taste wet
Toni