Pianotech

  • 1.  Loose Key Weights

    Posted 07-31-2023 08:59

    I have some maintenance work coming up soon on a Steinway grand from the 1930's. The work includes fixing a few notes that have a slight rattle from loose key weights. I would appreciate suggestions on your preferred repair approach.

     

    I favor working in a white wood glue. From your experience should I thin it a little with water? Or do you think I need to go to PVC-E or epoxy or other? Thanks in advance.

     

    Regards, Norman



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    Norman Brickman
    Potomac Piano Service
    Potomac, Maryland
    potomacpiano@verizon.net
    https://potomacpiano.com
    (301) 983.9321
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  • 2.  RE: Loose Key Weights

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-31-2023 09:03
    Norman

    The easiest solution would be to add a small amount of medium CA glue around the rim of the hole. You don't have to remove the leads. 

    Wim





  • 3.  RE: Loose Key Weights

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-31-2023 09:52

    One of the beauties of pure lead weights is that they are easily swaged.    A flat punch tapped on the front and back side of the key weight will expanded the lead laterally without tending to split the key.   Back the lead up with a metal mass like a small anviil for best effect with least stress to the key.  Make sure the opposite side of the lead is against the anvil.  If both sides are recessed back up the underside with someting hard against the lead.  Even coins can work.   Only a very small amount of expansion will take care of it.  



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    David Stanwood RPT
    Stanwood Piano Innovations Inc.
    West Tisbury MA
    (508) 693-1583
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  • 4.  RE: Loose Key Weights

    Posted 07-31-2023 13:36

    Hi-

    Seconding David here- please don't use glue of any kind on loose key leads. It will make it very difficult for the tech who follows you and may have to remove them.

    DB



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    David C. Brown RPT
    Garland TX
    tunermandb88.com
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Loose Key Weights

    Posted 07-31-2023 13:45
    I would remove the keys and use a flat head screwdriver to tighten the lead in the hole. Only expand the lead with the grains direction not against to avoid splitting.

    -chris






    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Loose Key Weights

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-01-2023 12:43

    Hi all,

    At a convention class last week, David Hughes showed the use of an arbor press to install/remove key leads. Harbor Freight has one for about $69, but there others available. He modified a machine screw of appropriate size by cutting some teeth with a hacksaw, which is what does the swaging. He also noted to me that removing leads that have been glued in can be problematic.

    great to see you at convention!



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    Scott Cole, RPT
    rvpianotuner.com
    Talent, OR
    (541-601-9033
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  • 7.  RE: Loose Key Weights

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-01-2023 13:35

    Grizzly has a 1 ton arbor press with interchangeable dies that are held in place magnetically.  Harbor Freight has a small cast iron anvil which when

    combined with PianoTech punches is usefull for shop or road.  Dental tools are usefull for tightening loose key or underlever leads.



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    Parker Leigh
    Winchester VA
    (540) 722-3865
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Loose Key Weights

    Posted 08-03-2023 06:54

    Thank you to all.  I had not thought about, or realized, how easy it is to work directly with the lead rather than needing to use glue.  Regards, Norman.



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    Norman Brickman
    Potomac Piano Service
    Potomac, Maryland
    potomacpiano@verizon.net
    https://potomacpiano.com
    (301) 983.9321
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Loose Key Weights

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-04-2023 07:40
    Hi Norman,

    For whatever it's worth, sometimes when I am at the piano tuning and hear one, I mark it, then I remove the keystop rail, lift the offending note and just push some of the lead material (carefully of course) with a screwdriver to slightly wedge the lead to the edge of the key. It takes care of the click noise. I have done that on many newish Steinways that seem to have this problem. It does the trick and no need to do a total stack removal.

    Victor Bélanger RPT
    Belmont, MA


    Original Message