Key Leads

[Tony Caught]

Hi List

When I was working in China the keyleads had beeswax  added to the lead
prior to pouring into the moulds.  I assumed that this beeswax was added to
counteract the oxidisation of the lead.   True or false ?

Tony Caught caute@accessnt.com.au


----- Original Message -----
From: harvey <harvey@greenwood.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, 29 June 1999 4:09
Subject: Re: Key Leads


> Dave, I'm gonna reach out with a little speculation. I don't have a lot of
> emperical evidence to support these statements, just several experiences
> with this phenomenon. In mentally summarizing past incidences of pianos,
> their vintage, and their respective locations/environment, I'm coming up
> with "patterns".
>
> Environment notwithstanding, I'm beginning to think that lead by any other
> name isn't necessary lead. Unfortunately, there aren't many -other- uses
of
> lead in the same piano where we can get references. So, in simplistic
> terms, compare key leads with [pot metal or 'growing'] action brackets,
> plastic elbows, and various other parts that don't fair well over time.
>
> It's quite possible that key leads were/are purchased in quantity from a
> sub-contractor, rather than being poured 'in-house'. It's also conceivable
> that, at certain moments in history (and is still being done), either
> someone had a bright idea ("let's make this better/cheaper by adding 'x'
to
> the mix"), or, the raw materials were actually contaminated, contaning
some
> foreign substance that actually causes excessive oxidizing and swelling
> when exposed to time/elements.
>
> Whether my speculation is right or wrong is up for conjecture. Also, I
have
> no contest with sealing existing key holes with something. However, we
> already know what does -not- work (sanding, chiseling, etc.). So, the next
> time I encounter this situation, I'm going with replacement key leads.
>
> Just my take,
>