Original Message:
Sent: 12/11/2025 8:23:00 AM
From: Dave Conte
Subject: RE: Damper underlever leads
Thanks, Norman. I can always count on you for simple yet ingenious solutions.
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Dave Conte, RPT
Piano Technician in Residence
The University of Tennessee
College of Music
Knoxville TN
(817) 307-5656
Owner: Rocky Top Piano
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-11-2025 08:07
From: Norman Cantrell
Subject: Damper underlever leads
Another way to make your own if you only need a few is to clamp two pieces of wood together in the drill press vice and drill a hole centered on the seam of the drsired diameter. Get some lead and melt it and pour it into the hole you drilled. Let it cool and you can remove the new formed lead roll by unclamping the wood and separating it. Now slice the lead to the desired length and press it into the under lever as usual.
Lead that is melted gives off less toxins than being sanded or some of the other techniques I've seen on the lists.
Still mad as a hatter and tuning away.
Norman Cantrell
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Norman Cantrell
Owner
Piano Clinic
Oklahoma
580-695-5089
Original Message:
Sent: 12-10-2025 00:49
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: Damper underlever leads
If you only need to replace a few, you can hammer the 6.5 mm leads, maybe even press them to achieve an 8 mm diameter. You can then roll them between two flat surfaces to make them round (like when rolling a ball of clay into a cylinder).
At least something to try while you research where to get 8 mm leads.
Joe Wiencek
NYC
Original Message:
Sent: 12/9/2025 3:06:00 PM
From: Dave Conte
Subject: RE: Damper underlever leads
Parker, I just checked their site because I need a few as well. They have 6.5 mm but not 8mm listed on their website.
These are for the Boston GP-193 II in my shop. Anybody know of another source. Schaff doesn't list underlever leads at all.
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Dave Conte, RPT
Piano Technician in Residence
The University of Tennessee
College of Music
Knoxville TN
(817) 307-5656
Owner: Rocky Top Piano
Original Message:
Sent: 11-16-2025 13:27
From: Parker Leigh
Subject: Damper underlever leads
Erwin sells 8 mm lead.
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Parker Leigh RPT
Winchester VA
(540) 722-3865
Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2025 23:27
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: Damper underlever leads
Perhaps you could drill a lead sized hole in a piece of wood to the depth you want and then trim the excess lead off with a saw or knife.
Yamaha uses metric sizes, 8mm dia. for the underlevers. T0491630 KEY LEAD #9 6G 10x8mm CF/ GP/ UP
They have changed their part numbers so you'll probably have to contact them to order as their online system won't recognize the old part number if they've changed this one.
Steinway also sells underlever leads (for $3.50 each) .
You might try harpsichord suppliers.
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Steven Rosenthal RPT
Honolulu HI
(808) 521-7129
Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2025 20:56
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Damper underlever leads
Bruce
I "thin" the leads, put the lead in a pair of pliers and sand the sides on a belt sander or a disc sander.
Wim
Original Message:
Sent: 11/14/2025 8:46:00 PM
From: Bruce Dornfeld
Subject: RE: Damper underlever leads
Hi Wim,
Yes, if I used the #3 key weights as is, they would stick out too far, hitting neighbors. For this repair to be practical, I will not be removing the underlevers . The tool that is a modified parallel pliers will crimp the leads in place with the neighbors being lifted by the sostenuto. I have tried cutting this size key lead with a hack saw to make it closer to the right size, but find it problematic. It is difficult to cut without deforming the lead.
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Bruce Dornfeld, RPT
PTG Foundation Director Emeritus
North Shore Chapter
Northbrook, IL
(847) 498-0379
bdornfeld@earthlink.net
Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2025 17:25
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Damper underlever leads
Bruce
By saying they are 30% long, do you mean they are too "fat"? In other words, they stick outside the width of the lever. If that's the case, I don't think it really matters, as long as they are not rubbing against the neighboring lever. And if they are rubbing against each other, it doesn't take too much filing to reduce the width. Just be sure to wear a dust mask and wash your hands.
Wim
Original Message:
Sent: 11/14/2025 4:12:00 PM
From: Bruce Dornfeld
Subject: Damper underlever leads
Many grand pianos I service have lost damper underlever leads. Most of the time I can reinstall them, but often they have fallen out of the action cavity and been lost. Do you know of anywhere that new ones can be purchased? I have tried two different ways to make my own, but would rather not have to. The smallest key leads commonly sold are close enough in diameter, but are 30 to 40% too long. What have my esteemed colleagues used to replace missing leads from the damper underlevers?
Thank you,
Bruce
Bruce Dornfeld, RPT
Dornfeld Piano Tuning
Phone: (847) 498-0379
Cell: (847) 997-4266 (text)
bdornfeld@earthlink.net
www.Dpianotuning.com
2134 Walters Ave
Northbrook, IL 60062-4528
Making Pianos Sound Beautiful Since 1979