possible swollen key leads

[John Formsma]

You are remembering that lead dust is mobile and carcinogenic, right?

I was taught to slice off lead with a sharp chisel to minimize dust.

What about when the lead is oxidized and swollen? Still just as toxic?

JF

On 6/30/07, Farrell <mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
>
>
> For a permanent fix, yes, of course, replace all leads. But for so many
> pianos - old uprights, consoles, etc. just grind off the excess flush with
> the key side. Explain to the client that this is a bandaid fix - one that
> often lasts for many years - but no guarantees.
>
> I just did one of these on an old upright last week - er, a, well, the piano
> owner ground down the key leads after I told her what the problem was. She
> did an very good job. Too bad that wasn't the biggest problem with her old
> upright........
>
> Terry Farrell
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
>
> Regarding the Wurlitzer grand with horribly binding keys that I looked at
> yesterday, I did not consider swollen key leads--until Terry Farrell
> suggested the possibility.  Based on the research I've just done in the
> archives, my first inclination on this piano (if swollen leads are indeed
> the problem) is to trim/shave them with a sharp chisel and seal with thin CA
> glue.  This will probably fit my client's pocketbook better than
> removing/replacing the leads.  Should I, though, consider (and sell to the
> client) the idea of removing/replacing?
>
> Thanks,
> Richard Morgan