<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META content="text/html; charset=US-ASCII" http-equiv=Content-Type> <META name=GENERATOR content="MSHTML 9.00.8112.16441"></HEAD> <BODY style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt" id=role_body bottomMargin=7 leftMargin=7 rightMargin=7 topMargin=7><FONT id=role_document color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial> <DIV>Hello to All.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>   I have found some success by drilling a hole thru the</DIV> <DIV> center of the lead weights. Then gluing  the key cracks </DIV> <DIV>together and let dry under pressure. </DIV> <DIV>    This seems to work  better on sugar pine than spruce.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Regards to all,</DIV> <DIV>Jack Wyatt</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV> In a message dated 4/4/2012 6:56:40 P.M. Central Daylight Time, David@piano.plus.com writes:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px"><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial><FONT face=Arial>A 1913 Bluthner grand I tune every so often has the swollen key lead problem that has been discussed here previously.  In the past I have manged to file the odd sticking note on the spot. Today, quite a few notes were sticking and I showed the problem to the owner.  It was agreed that I should take the action away to file all the key leads and apply some lacquer or varnish to give a seal of sorts.<BR><BR>Unfortunately I have found that the problem is severe, and the swollen leads have caused at least half a dozen keys to split quite badly.  I have had to punch out the swollen oxidised leads in order to glue and clamp the keys back together again.<BR><BR>Really a comprehensive keyboard overhall is needed, as the backtouch felts and centre rail washers are quite motheaten, and probably all key leads should be removed and replaced.<BR><BR>I do not know if the owner will be willing or able to go to that expense, and in the meantime the piano is needed for guests who will be visiting soon.<BR><BR>What do you suggest I do with the keys I've removed the leads from, in terms of an interim "quick fix" to get the piano back together and working : 1) put the glued keys back with no leads, or 2) fill the holes with something else, like wood repair putty or Plastic Padding's metal repair stuff? <BR><BR>Obtaining and fitting new leads is the bigger solution for the future, but what to do meantime?<BR><BR>Suggestions welcome!<BR><BR>Best regards,<BR><BR>David.<BR></FONT></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>