[CAUT] key leads

[wimblees at aol.com]

We have a lot of leads swelling here in Hawaii. But what I've found interesting, is that there seems to be no rhyme or reason why they expand. I've had newer Yamahas (15 years). and older American made pianos, where some of the leads expand, while the key right next to is not effected at all. If it was a bad mixture of lead, it would seem that all of the leads in that batch would be bad. We've discussed this at a couple of chapter meetings, and we don't know why this is happening. We fix it chiseling off the leads, and sealing them with Shellac. 



Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT 
Piano Tuner/Technician
94-505 Kealakaa Str. 
Mililani, Oahu, HI  96789
808-349-2943 
www.Bleespiano.com
Author of: 
The Business of Piano Tuning 
available from Potter Press 
www.pianotuning.com



-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Roberts <keithspiano at gmail.com>
To: caut at ptg.org
Sent: Sun, Dec 20, 2009 7:47 pm
Subject: Re: [CAUT] key leads


You can try sealing it from the air but more than likely it's caused by a bad mix of recycled lead. Like the expanding action brackets. Maybe lead from car batteries got in there. Lead is very non reactive in its pure state and a neutral enviroment.
Will the polyurethane seal off sulfuric acid?
Keith Roberts

On Sun, Dec 20, 2009 at 9:06 PM, <johnparham at piano88.com> wrote:

I've never tried it, but why not just zapping it with a quick shot of
clear polyurethane spray to seal the leads?

-John Parham
Hickory, NC



> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [CAUT] key leads
> From: "David Ilvedson" <ilvey at sbcglobal.net>
> Date: Wed, December 16, 2009 11:04 pm
> To: pianotech at ptg.org, caut at ptg.org
> List,
> I have perused the archives about oxidizing key leads.   Seems to have been around 1996 or so...I have an Apollo Grand with the beginnings of oxidizing leads.   Some sticking keys etc.   My first inclination is to just chisel off and seal with lacquer or something like that.   Anyone want to hazzard how long it would take to remove the leads and replace with new?   I probably should give the customer that option...
> I'm guessing 1 hour for travel back and forth.   1 hour to disassemble and reassemble action.   1 hour to remove leads and a couple to swedge in new ones...am I dreaming here?   What do you think.
> David Ilvedson, RPT
> Pacifica, CA 94044





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