[pianotech] Growing leads

[David Ilvedson]

I'm in the middle of replacing all the key leads on an Apollo grand.   We talked a lot about this not long ago.    Search the archives...  www.ptg.org     down near bottom on the right.   In general many think it is an ongoing problem that sealing will not solve in the long term.   I recommended replacement and the customer went for the extra cost.   When replacing, use a drill press and a punch.   David Stanwood has a couple of youtube videos and one has a lady punching out leads like this.   

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "richard strang" <rstrang at cableonda.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 1/7/2010 1:26:26 PM
Subject: [pianotech] Growing leads


>List,
>   I have just encountered a Welmar grand piano that has a problem with the
>lead weights in each key. The lead weights in each key are growing in size,
>splitting the keys in half. There is a white powder forming over each lead
>weight.  Can someone please tell me the cause of this? It is becoming a
>legal problem with the moving company. Please advise.

>Regards,
>Richard Strang