A short video showing the key fitting process on our Howarth instruments. The keys are hand-fitted to each instrument to ensure they fit precisely between the pillars. We work with up to 200 metal components when assembling the keywork. We design each mechanical part and then machine them to our own specifications. Many of the keys are finished with a bevelled edge. We machine these edges by hand on the individual key parts. We then fit every oboe key to the instrument by hand and then test the mechanism.
