PianoTech Archive

  • 1.  Key Lead removal help

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-29-2005 06:01 
    From Dave Doremus <algiers_piano@bellsouth.net>

Hi List, I am facing replacing all key leads in a S&S D, due to major 
swelling/corrosion problems. Has anyone, especially those who do a 
lot of re weighing, got a tool that will help cleanly remove so many 
leads? I seem to remember a set of pliers advertised for this job but 
at the time I balked at the price.
-- 
----Dave


-----------------------------
Dave Doremus, RPT
New Orleans
------------------------------


  • 2.  Key Lead removal help

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-29-2005 07:36 
    From "David Love" <davidlovepianos@comcast.net>

Deadleader tool from Renner made by Chris Robinson.  $135.50 plus
shipping.  Great tool!

David Love
davidlovepianos@comcast.net 


    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 3.  Key Lead removal help

    Posted 01-29-2005 07:38
      |   view attached 
    From "Michael Spalding" <spalding48@earthlink.net>

Hi Dave,

The plier tool is Renner, I think.  Quality, sturdy, and priced
appropriately.  Photo attached of my cheap do-it-yourself alternative.  Use
the drill press as an arbor press.  (DO NOT turn it on).  Steel rod in
chuck slightly smaller than lead diameter, i.e. for 3/8 lead use 5/16 rod. 
Pipe nipple in 4x4 has ID slightly larger than lead diameter.  If the
resistance makes you nervous about damaging the drill press, then for sure
you're going to splinter the key - in these situations, open up the exit
side of the key with a forstner bit slightly larger than the lead diameter.

Mike


> [Original Message]
> From: Dave Doremus <algiers_piano@bellsouth.net>
> To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 1/29/2005 7:03:34 AM
> Subject: Key Lead removal help
>
> Hi List, I am facing replacing all key leads in a S&S D, due to major 
> swelling/corrosion problems. Has anyone, especially those who do a 
> lot of re weighing, got a tool that will help cleanly remove so many 
> leads? I seem to remember a set of pliers advertised for this job but 
> at the time I balked at the price.
> -- 
> ----Dave
>
>
> -----------------------------
> Dave Doremus, RPT
> New Orleans
> ------------------------------
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info: http://www.ptg.org/mailman/listinfo/pianotech


  • 4.  Key Lead removal help

    Posted 01-30-2005 02:21 
    From "Michael Gamble" <michael@gambles.fsnet.co.uk>

Hello Michael S
It may sound a bit hairy, but last time I had this "plumbitis" problem where 
the keys were so stlit that the sharp tops were forced off at one end - that 
bad! - I used a thick punch a hunk of hardwood with a suitable hole in and a 
heavy hammer. Couldn't do the keys more harm than was already done! Needed 
glueing the splits and the new leads in after and clamping until set. 
Eureka! all done and OK. Pity yours is an S&S though.... my method might 
seem rather un-refined for such a piano!
Regards
Michael G.(UK)

    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 5.  Key Lead removal help

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-29-2005 08:01 
    From "David Love" <davidlovepianos@comcast.net>

I found the best method when using an arbor press for removing the leads
is to prepare a block of wood with a hole drilled through it just
slightly larger than the size of the lead.  Place the block under the
keylead you are extracting with the keylead lined up with the hole so
that the lead is being pushed out into the hole in the block of wood.
The wood outside the diameter of the hole will support the wood around
the lead in the key and prevent tear out.  You can prepare the block of
wood with three hole of different sizes 3/8"+, 1/2"+ and 5/8"+ to
accommodate different key lead sizes.  Don't make the block any larger
than is necessary to give support to the key as the smaller it is the
easier it is to line up with the keylead.  Press slowly at first and
when the lead is aligned properly you will be able to feel it through
the arbor by how easily it gives.  

The pliers are nice, though.

David Love
davidlovepianos@comcast.net 


    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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  • 6.  Key Lead removal help

    Posted 01-29-2005 08:21 
    From antares <antares@euronet.nl>

Simply drilling out the lead works very fast without the danger of 
splitting wood by pressure.

Andr? Oorebeek
Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Where 'music' is no harm can be



On 29-jan-05, at 16:01, David Love wrote:

> I found the best method when using an arbor press for removing the 
> leads
> is to prepare a block of wood with a hole drilled through it just
> slightly larger than the size of the lead.  Place the block under the
> keylead you are extracting with the keylead lined up with the hole so
> that the lead is being pushed out into the hole in the block of wood.
> The wood outside the diameter of the hole will support the wood around
> the lead in the key and prevent tear out.  You can prepare the block of
> wood with three hole of different sizes 3/8"+, 1/2"+ and 5/8"+ to
> accommodate different key lead sizes.  Don't make the block any larger
> than is necessary to give support to the key as the smaller it is the
> easier it is to line up with the keylead.  Press slowly at first and
> when the lead is aligned properly you will be able to feel it through
> the arbor by how easily it gives.
>
> The pliers are nice, though.
>
> David Love
> davidlovepianos@comcast.net
>
> 
    
                                                
    
					
                                                    

        
                                                
				
    
                                                
    
                                                    
                                                        
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