key leads

[Robin Stevens]

Les I have found the best way is to have a designated 5/8 (new, or very
sharp) chisel in your tool kit just for dealing with this problem. I
normally have a old cutting board in my car and place a thick layer of
newspaper over the board so that the off cuts can be wrapped up and thrown
away. I place the key on the newspaper covered board (keytops upwards) and
then apply a downward cut with the chisel, sometimes two cuts are needed if
they are thick. Using a file will only clog up after one or two keys. They
normally will grow back after a few years so I've got no idea if sealing the
lead stops them from growing again. Spraying the key with lacquer seems a
bit messy when you could do the same job with a small brush.

Robin Stevens ARPT

South Australia

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Leslie Bartlett
Sent: Wednesday, 5 March 2008 2:51 PM
To: 'Pianotech List'
Subject: key leads

 

 

I have a piano to deal with next week- most of the leads are swelling.  They
can't afford to replace them, so my thought is to file them, then spray
lacquer on the lead.  The corrosion goes down very little into the actual
lead.

 

Also need to replace most if not all hammer return springs.  Does that lead
dust cause the springs to deteriorate and break?
les bartlett

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