The first two pictures show new ivory laid out on the desk.  The picture to the right shows the plastic key top as it is cut off on the band saw.  Note that a special precision jig is required to do this procedure.

ivory4.GIF (38021 bytes)

i3.GIF (47957 bytes) i1.GIF (40179 bytes)

The cut key must be absolutely square.  Then the ivory is "laid out" so that it fits perfectly.

i2.GIF (23057 bytes)

i6.GIF (53398 bytes)

ivory2.GIF (17635 bytes)

Then the new ivory is installed using a special secret glue.

i15.GIF (40605 bytes) i16.GIF (55977 bytes)

The pictures below show some of  the many stages of shaping the ivory, followed by sanding to 2000 grit and the final polishing proceedures. 

i17.GIF (44733 bytes) i27.GIF (27810 bytes)

The pictures below show the marking out of the notch for the sharp and filing to achieve an identical match from key to key.

i28.GIF (17901 bytes)

i34.GIF (37262 bytes)

i30.GIF (43676 bytes) i38.GIF (54543 bytes)

After the many sanding and polishing procedures are finished the ivory is translucent and gleams .  Wouldn't you really rather be playing on new ivory and genuine ebony than on cheap plastic keys?   This is the finest ivory work done in the world today and you should take advantage of its availability.  A lot of leg work has been done to find a legitimate source for this genuine ivory.  The value of your instrument would be vastly increased and the basis of your investment, a long term one.  See picture below to view the ivory as it approaches completion.  Please note the exact precision with which the new ivory keys match each other.

i40.GIF (110024 bytes)