I have no problem with what Dean says. It's a chunk of lead. In or on a piece of wood.<div> </div><div>But before adding lead of any kind, we should first make sure that is the root problem (as others have already said). <div> </div><div>If lead is needed in the keys, what I would do is give my customers a choice. Either have the leads on the top of the keystick, or in the keystick. Give a price for each method, with pros and cons, and let the customer decide. I don't think the keystick cares either way. :-)</div> <div> </div><div>We all have our preferences. I'd prefer to get the lead in the key because it definitely looks better. But then, I'd also prefer to do minimal work on a spinet since they are low-end pianos to begin with. I'd rather have my customers upgrade to a better piano. And paying to drill and install leads is money that could be spent toward a better piano.</div> <div> </div><div>-- <div>John Formsma, RPT </div><div>Blue Mountain, MS</div> <div class="gmail_quote">On Sat, Jan 7, 2012 at 7:16 AM, Dean May <<a href="mailto:deanmay@pianorebuilders.com">deanmay@pianorebuilders.com</a>> wrote: <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"> <div lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple"> <div> If Jiffy Leads are fully functional, do not take away the aesthetic look of the outside cabinet the customer sees, last just as long, AND SAVES THE CUSTOMER MONEY, why would they not be considered “doing the job right?” I’m sorry to sound snippy, but I grow weary of the mindset that it has to be like the factory in order to qualify as doing it right. In my book, if it works well and saves the customer money, that is doing it right, and that is how I want other people to treat me. <div> Dean Dean W May <a href="tel:%28812%29%20235-5272" value="+18122355272" target="_blank">(812) 235-5272</a> voice and text PianoRebuilders.com (888) DEAN-MAY </div> Terre Haute IN 47802 Give us a LIKE on Facebook! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/PianoRebuilderscom/137780082943148" target="_blank">Go to PianoRebuilders.com</a> Martin - What Joe says is probably likely where your problem is. I imagine if Joe is taking 3 - 4 hours to do the job he's doing it right - drilling and inserting proper round key leads. I've done several pianos using Jiffy Leads as well - not the ideal approach from an aesthetic standpoint to be sure, but one that will give results. Another problem that can cause poor return of the jacks is weak or broken jack springs. Lift up the hammer butt slightly, and push the toe of the jack down with a small screwdriver. Release it and see if the jack snaps into place. If you've tried putting Protek on the action centers, and the jack still seems sluggish, I would be suspicious of the strength of the springs. Just a thought. Chuck Behm </div> </div> </blockquote></div> <div> </div> </div></div>