On Sat, 27 May 1995, David Porritt wrote: > I picked up a set of keys yesterday that had grosly expanded key leads due > to oxidation. Several of the keys have split due to the increased size of > the leads. I'm going to remove them and replace them with new leads. I guess I wasn't aware that keyleads expanded. Interesting... Is it possible that the wood shrank and squeezed the leads to the point that they look like they're bulging? > I've never seen leads expand this far before. They are all under > excessive pressure. Does anyone have a favorite methood of removing leads > this tight without putting additional pressure on the keys. I don't want > to split any more keys due to this proceedure. My favorite method is to take a drillbit that's several sizes smaller than the lead (a size that would leave 1/8 - 1/4" between bit and wood) and drill into the lead. Most of the time just as I get to the other side of the lead the lead comes spinning out. Sometimes I just dig out the rest with an awl -- from the *inside*, careful to not gouge the wood! Ron Torrella Registered Piano Technician Now Open: The Piano Page at Prairienet! Piano Technicians Guild http://www.prairienet.org/arts/ptg/homepage.html
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