key leads !!

[kam544@flash.net]

>.The only issue at this point is whether I can find a 9/16" lead as
>originally came out of the piano, or whether I will have to expand a 1/2"
>lead to fit the hole...
>David Love

David, LIst,

For some reason I got interested in your dilemma, maybe because I use to
own a Hazelton Grand and felt it was a nicely made piano.

So some information for you about using 1/2" leads:
To get it to a 9/16" diameter makes the width change from  3/8" to 1/4"
width.  Also a 1/2" lead weighs 14 + grams and a 5/8" lead weighs 21 +
grams.

Some basic math indicates you will be 3 grams shy per lead using a 1/2"
lead, which will not return the piano to your customer's desired target.

The alternative, in part, would be what Terry Farrell suggested:
=====================================
Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001 13:11:09 -0500
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
Subject: Re: key leads

Or plug and use exact size/placement of lead (s) needed.
======================================

To truly achieve the target, you might be able to do one of two ways.

1) Plug the holes, then take two 3/8" leads, each weighing 8 + grams
equaling 16 ++ grams, which is very close to the desired weight, piggyback
them, place them above the plug and measure DW (downweight) with gram
weights.

Then remove the 3/8" leads and determine where you can place either a 5/8"
lead or a 1/2" lead, whichever you choose to use, to approximate the same
DW readings.

2) Or you could plug and install two (2) 3/8" leads side by side where the
plug is.  That would probably be easiest as you wouldn't have to take DW
readings.

The only thing I can see preventing you from installing new leads using
either of these approaches is if there are already leads in the keyarms
that would prevent you from installing the new ones.

Some other ideas anyway.

Keith McGavern
Registered Piano Technician
Oklahoma Chapter 731
Piano Technicians Guild
USA