"shaving" old key leads

[David Love]

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You can use a pair of flush cut pliers (see attachment).  The do a nice job
of trimming leads and I use them when cutting down a lead to reduce its
weight (rather than moving a hole).  It won't make much if any dust, just
some lead scrap which you'll have to deal with somehow.  You might need to
push the lead out slightly on some with a pair of pliers made for that
purpose available from Renner ($135.00) and called "Deadleaders"--a very
usefull tool, btw.  You can also shave them with a sharp chisel (crankneck
variety would be good), though you want to be sure you have a way of
holding the key in a vise that won't damage the keytop.  

David Love
davidlovepianos@earthlink.net


> [Original Message]
> From: pianolover 88 <pianolover88@hotmail.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 3/20/2004 11:00:32 AM
> Subject: "shaving" old key leads
>
> I've done this procedure a few times, but I'm looking for advice to help 
> make this task safer, faster and more efficient. Old wurlitzer grand,
circa 
> 1942, key leads in all but the high treble. Most if not all are
"swelling" 
> and even some are breaking through "closed" side of key. In past jobs
like 
> this I used a rasp to remove the excess lead; this type tool cuts larger 
> "chunks"; the thought being that there is much less or hopefully no lead 
> "dust" produced, which IS hazardous.
>
> After the rasping, sandpaper block is used to smooth out the sides;
because 
> the lead is cut slightly below flush, only the wood, or mainly the wood
is 
> contacted at this stage. All work is done outside with a fan blowing any 
> dust particles out of immediate area. Also a dust mask is worn. Last step
is 
> to "seal" the freshly cut lead surfaces with a coat of lacquer, as it
will 
> oxidize fairly soon after if left bare.
>
> During the 40's when this piano was made,  lead was widely used for the
war 
> effort and so piano manufacturers used an additive to make up for the 
> shortage; this additive is what caused this "swelling" problem later on.
>
> If anyone has a better idea for removing this excess lead, (short of 
> replacing the leads) I'd LOVE to hear it! Thanks!
>
> Terry Peterson
>
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