I agree with David here. Leading is the symptom not the problem.The geometry of the system is simply being overloaded with too much hammer weight.  <div> I've done many of these early 70s Bs actions & I find it necessary to move both the knuckle and the capstan to achieve a ratio near something more workable such as 5.5 to 1 or thereabouts. Then popping out keyleads is both necessary and beneficial to a more workable inertia/balance weight.</div> <div>Dale <div style="color: navy; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; clear: both;">Dale Erwin R.P.T. Erwin's Piano Restoration Inc. Mason & Hamlin/Steinway/U.S. pianos www.Erwinspiano.com Phone: 209-577-8397 <tt><tt>     </tt></tt> </div> <div style="color: black; font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">-----Original Message----- From: David Love <davidlovepianos@comcast.net> To: pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Sun, Nov 11, 2012 5:56 pm Subject: [pianotech] FW: [PTG Pianotech]: Key Leads <div id="AOLMsgPart_0_9bd094f2-7aa7-4e29-9718-82c2fd961bb4" style="margin: 0px;font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, Sans-Serif;font-size: 12px;color: #000;background-color: #fff;"> <pre style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt>The issue of too many leads is really misdirected. The *reason* that there are too many leads is more the issue. That happens because the action ratio is not a good match for the hammer weights (or strike weights if you prefer). The inertia in the system derives from the relationship between action ratio and hammer weight more than from key leading no matter where you put them. The excess key leads are a symptom. Removing leads will not lower the inertia significantly and will only increase the balance weight. If the piano has too many leads and doesn't balance at a reasonable balance weight then the ratio/hammer weight relationship is off and you need to fix that first. Steinways from the 1970's tend to have high(er) ratios *and* high hammer weights. Bad combination. Convert the 16 mm knuckles to 17 mm knuckles is generally the first order of business. A methodology that allows you to analyze the action ratio and combine it with the proper hammer weights is better and will result in the key leads being more conforming. Even the notion that moving leads toward the balance rail is somewhat misguided. While it does reduce the inertia that is contributed by the leading pattern in the keys, as far as the overall inertia in the system, it's not that consequential. David Love <a href="http://www.davidlovepianos.com" target="_blank">www.davidlovepianos.com</a> -----Original Message----- From: Paul Williams [<a href="mailto:noreply@egroups.ptg.org?">mailto:noreply@egroups.ptg.org</a>] Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2012 2:24 PM To: David Love Subject: [PTG Pianotech]: Key Leads This message has been cross posted to the following Discussions: CAUT and Pianotech . ------------------------------------------- Wow! What a lot of key leads on the cover of the Journal! Question: when you you all remove lead? It's a nasty thing. I know that more than 5 is bad in bass.and none is optimal in the treble. Where do you draw the line on '70's Steinways?? some of mine are out of control with too many leads. they play pretty well. but what should I do in the long run? Best, Paul ------------------------------------------- Paul T. Williams RPT Piano Technician University of Nebraska Lincoln, NE 68588-0100 <a href="mailto:pwilliams4@unl.edu">pwilliams4@unl.edu</a> ------------------------------------------- Reply to Sender : <a href="http://my.ptg.org/Go.aspx?c=PostReply&GroupId=43&SenderKey=53ca9fbf-b9a7-4b82-a4fe-c4c73bc1a762&MID=236059&MDATE=6646647567&UserKey=c6bec9da-82ac-413c-b761-8ffbb84d2e9a" target="_blank">http://my.ptg.org/Go.aspx?c=PostReply&GroupId=43&SenderKey=53ca9fbf-b9a7-4b82-a4fe-c4c73bc1a762&MID=236059&MDATE=6646647567&UserKey=c6bec9da-82ac-413c-b761-8ffbb84d2e9a</a> Reply to Discussion : <a href="http://my.ptg.org/Go.aspx?c=PostReply&GroupId=43&MID=236059&MDATE=6646647567&UserKey=c6bec9da-82ac-413c-b761-8ffbb84d2e9a" target="_blank">http://my.ptg.org/Go.aspx?c=PostReply&GroupId=43&MID=236059&MDATE=6646647567&UserKey=c6bec9da-82ac-413c-b761-8ffbb84d2e9a</a> You are currently subscribed to ptg_pianotechbb as: <a href="mailto:davidlovepianos@comcast.net">davidlovepianos@comcast.net</a>. To change your subscription options (or unsubscribe), go to: <a href="http://my.ptg.org/MySubscriptions" target="_blank">http://my.ptg.org/MySubscriptions</a> and update your preferences. </tt></pre> </div>  </div> </div>