[CAUT] Key Leads

[Fortenberry, Kevin]

To David and List,

It looks like you are going to replace the leads, which is best. However, for the benefit of future decisions out there when it may not be possible to replace, I would like to suggest the following: Never, ever grind or belt sand corrosive  leads. I agree with John Ross on respirator (choose a good one), but the best way to remove the excess if you are not able to replace, is to use the correct size of forstner drill bit. It's like a power chisel, and does not create corrosive dust. Hand chisel is also great, but slow--and then chose your sealer. Charles Fry taught this to our chapter in the Heart of Texas a few years ago. Maybe this will help someone in the future. A small selection of Forstner bits is also EXTREMELY handy for various shop needs.

Kevin Fortenberry, RPT
Texas Tech University



> -------- 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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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:48:23 -0400
From: John Ross <jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca>
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] key leads
Message-ID: <218588BEF29E43EC99BFAA46AA6D5C85 at john1bf82a3fe4>
Content-Type: text/plain; CHARSET=US-ASCII

I just put on a face mask, and use a belt sander, then seal,
John Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <johnparham at piano88.com>
To: "David Ilvedson" <ilvey at sbcglobal.net>; <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 1:06 AM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] key leads


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