I took all the keys out of my 1953 Hamilton to clean them and noticed a long wood screw (about 3 inches) in between the 44 and 45 keys. The keys are relieved on adjoining sides to allow clearance for the screw to pass. The screw was screwed in only about 1/2" so the head is about even with the top of the keys.

Is this screw on all pianos or just Hamiltons? Does anyone know the function of this screw? Is it necessary?

Ed

It controls the height of the rail that you had to remove before removing the keys. When you start putting things back together it will be obvious.

Jeff, many thanks for the quick reply. With the rail off it looked like it wasn't doing anything:-)

Ed

For a grand piano with a sostenuto pedal, doesn't the keybed slide? If so, does this require periodic lubrication? If so, what should be used?

JD - This appears to be a completely unrelated question. I would suggest re-posting this question as a new topic, with a new title.

It's the una corda pedal that makes the action slide on the keybed (which doesn't move). I use microfine Teflon powder.

--Cy--