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Grand action, portable work bench

  • 1.  Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-20-2018 11:48

    Hi all,

    I know that I've seen both homemade and commercial portable support benches for grand actions, but I can't seem to find them now. I have problems lifting heavy (and wide) items, so I'd need some kind of portable (as in able to transport by car) table/wagon, preferably on wheels, which could serve as a work bench for a grand action.  

    Does anybody know of a manufacturer, or has anyone made a clever own version for this very purpose?



    ------------------------------
    Patrick Wingren, RPT
    Jakobstad, Finland
    0035844-5288048
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-20-2018 12:16
    Patrick, 

    Mine is not elegant but it has worked well for many years and is reasonably compact.

    I simply built two light duty horses (standard 1 x 4 lumber), hinged at the top so they collapse, rope holds them open at the bottom to the prescribed width (and provides some adjustability for uneven situations). A piece of plywood of sufficient size makes the top surface. (This does not really need to be as big as the action).

    That's what I have used for 30 years or so. 

    Pwg

    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-20-2018 12:17
    Patrick, 

    Mine is not elegant but it has worked well for many years and is reasonably compact.

    I simply built two light duty horses (standard 1 x 4 lumber), hinged at the top so they collapse, rope holds them open at the bottom to the prescribed width (and provides some adjustability for uneven situations). A piece of plywood of sufficient size makes the top surface. (This does not really need to be as big as the action).

    That's what I have used for 30 years or so. 

    Pwg

    ------------------------------
    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Posted 03-20-2018 14:28
    Partick,  try Chris Brown's regulation tools...pricey, but may be what you are looking for.  

    Chris Brown Grandwork Tools






    ------------------------------
    Jim Ialeggio
    grandpianosolutions.com
    Shirley, MA
    978 425-9026
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-20-2018 17:52
    Chris Brown makes THE best surface available for replicating the keybed. However, to my knowledge, portability is not one of it's strong points.

    LaRoy Edwards designed a lightweight, portable grand action dolly which was available through Edwards String Covers at one time, and more recently from Bolduc Pianos and, possibly, from Brooks, Ltd. A knock-off was made by Flugelbauer, but don't know if that is still on the market.

    We use this all the time for just the reasons you mentioned. Great tool!

    Alan

    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-20-2018 20:09
    Chris Brown's product line looks truly awesome, someday I just have to have one of those... but LaRoy's action caddy is EXACTLY what I'm looking for -- thank you so much for the tip!

    I found a YouTube video in which he is demonstrating the caddy, and I can't wait to get one. This is the only way I can keep pulling the action out of the cavity and stay fit to work on the action afterwards. 
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjcLUlAvkdY 





  • 7.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-20-2018 20:21
    ... oh no... it seems to be impossible to buy LaRoy's caddy by now, I can't find any place that stocks it. If anyone happens to know where it would be possible to get one, I'd be very grateful.

    ------------------------------
    Patrick Wingren, RPT
    Jakobstad, Finland
    0035844-5288048
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Posted 03-20-2018 20:26
    If it's unavailable, make one yourself. It doesn't look too difficult. The slots would be the hardest part, and those are easy too.





  • 9.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-20-2018 23:15
    Jahn sells Mr. Edwards Action Caddy #423110
    All the best!​

    ------------------------------
    Mark Adams
    Artist Piano
    Solana Beach CA
    858-583-3333
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Posted 03-21-2018 08:36
    Hi Patrick ~

    I have (2) two of LaRoy's Action Caddy's left. (hand signed :)

    Give us a call 800-326-2440 or email me at brooksltd@sbcglobal.net and I will send you details.

    Melanie

    ------------------------------
    Melanie Brooks
    Brooks, Ltd. Piano Products LLC
    Uncasville CT
    860-848-6605
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-21-2018 11:29
    Hi Patrick ~I have (2) two of LaRoy's Action Caddy's left. (hand signed :)Give us a call 800-326-2440 or email me at brooksltd@sbcglobal.net and I will send you details.Melanie------------------------------Melanie BrooksBrooks, Ltd. Piano Products LLCUncasville CT860-848-6605
    ------------------------------

    Thank you so much, Melanie, I just emailed you!


    ------------------------------
    Patrick Wingren, RPT
    Jakobstad, Finland
    0035844-5288048
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Posted 03-20-2018 21:34
    Alan,

    I've messed with various ways to accurately replicate keydip outside the piano. One question I have on the Edwards style cart, is that with just two balance rail adjustment screws, dip is very coarsely duplicated. I actually find the replication quite misleading, and don't use that style of outside the piano duplication, despite the great portability of the idea.

    My question is, with a very coarsely duplicated dip,  how do you use that to set an accurate backcheck line? ...I should say, setting this line and proving soft check consistency is my Achilles heal in regulation...so I'm always looking to improve my not so golden spots.  Any words of wisdom on how you achieve this aspect with the Edwards cart?

    ------------------------------
    Jim Ialeggio
    grandpianosolutions.com
    Shirley, MA
    978 425-9026
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-20-2018 22:11
    Jim,

    We don't routinely use the Edwards caddies for regulation. When we do, we reposition the action from side to side a few times in the process, to get those inverted guides to do their thing properly. 

    At the school, shop associates typically work in teams, and usually wind up putting the action on a furniture pad on the front lid/flyleaf. (There is often not enough space in a practice room for the caddy with someone working at it, and it is easy enough to lift the action up there with two people.) Most of the time, this produces enough aftertouch to get the job done. 

    When I am working alone, I usually opt for having the front rail in my lap, the back rail on the keyed, and my micro-adjustable knee(s) strategically placed under the balance rail. I give it enough "umph" to roughly recreate the key dip, and monitor the results with periodic reality checks back in the piano.

    I've heard of people wedging the balance rail glides on a table (or wedge the work surface itself from underneath) to achieve the needed dip. That works, but I haven't done it myself.

    Reliable back checking on soft blows (without sacrificing drop) does seem to be one of the holier of the grails of regulation.

    Alan

    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-20-2018 23:52
    Hi, Patrick

    Like you, I reached a point (a number of years ago) which dead-lifting a Steinway D action was possible but hard, and I knew that time was passing. I found a folding action cart made by Norm Cantrell, and it has done an excellent job for me. It is lightly built, just strong enough to do its job, but not heavy to carry.
    http://cantrellspianoclinic.com/tools-and-services/4162135

    As for doing regulation with the action on the cart, what I do is set samples in the piano, and then I use Jon Page's brilliant and simple "Taut Line Regulation Gauge", which lives in my kit folded into a business envelope. Pianotek sells it. When people first see it, they think that the very modest price is still a lot more than the materials cost -- but one is paying for the extremely intelligent idea, not to mention the ability to work away from home using a tool which weighs about an ounce. If one sets up the cart and taut line tool so one is looking at it against a dark background, with the line set at the exact letoff line, it is very easy to see when the hammer will just touch the taut line. Much easier and more accurate than the conventional set up on my work bench at home.

    Here, this one:
    Pianotek Supply Company - Products - Parts

    Another product which has helped me is the "Versacart", sold on Amazon. It is rated for 120 pounds, weighs very little, and folds up so it can be tossed into the back seat. The woman technician who told us about it put in a photo of it holding her action kit, a box or two of tools, and a Kawai grand lyre was laid on top. She instantly sold me on the idea when she said that her folding action cart will hang on the handles. Norm's will, though I have to turn it diagonally to put it on.

    Here's the Versacart. I think I'll buy a spare, because I certainly don't want to be without one. The only failing I see in it is that it is awkward to get up a flight of stairs. It even has a flap with velcro to keep the rain out.

    https://www.amazon.com/Folding-Shopping-Cart-VersaCart-Water-Resistant/dp/B078N32ZN2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521604250&sr=8-1&keywords=Versacart


    Like you, I was recently tempted by watching LaRoy Edwards' YouTube of his action caddy. I kind of wish I had bought one earlier. I found the Flugelbauer site, but their version also didn't appear to be for sale either, and I liked LaRoy's version with metal instead of all wood better. I suppose I might manage to look very carefully at his YouTube and build myself one, but I probably will just carry on with what I have now, which works okay for me.

    ------------------------------
    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Posted 03-21-2018 08:14
    I use a salvaged knee board from a fold-up Rippen vertical. If the dip is too deep. I'll insert 4 to 5 stacks of punching under the front rail.  If too shallow, I'll hang the front rail off the board.  Susan's correct (Thank you Susan) about the TLRG, I use it all the time ;-)

    An SD10 action is in the pix.

    A second board could be placed on top of this one, Then the action could spin around without loosing my bearings. A thin strip could be placed under the balance rail if key height is needed and punchings could micro adjust the dip.

    Dip is set in the piano, the block is there to duplicate the dip.

    TLRG: Don't leave home without it.

    Jan Otto's secondary use of it is to slide the line to the ends of the verticals and use them as handles to check crown under the board, another brilliant idea.





    ------------------------------
    Regards,

    Jon Page
    ------------------------------



  • 16.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Posted 03-21-2018 08:36
    Do the TLRG uprights mount on the stack screws?

    ------------------------------
    Jim Ialeggio
    grandpianosolutions.com
    Shirley, MA
    978 425-9026
    ------------------------------



  • 17.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Posted 03-21-2018 08:49
    The bracket screws secure them.

    ------------------------------
    Regards,

    Jon Page
    ------------------------------



  • 18.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-21-2018 14:09
    Yes, the screws secure them, therefore in moving to a neighboring section, you only need to release one of the ends and pivot around the other one.

    It would be nice to be that clever ...

    ------------------------------
    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
    ------------------------------



  • 19.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-21-2018 14:06
    TLRG -- I really should buy a few spares. They would also make good gifts for any piano tech who doesn't already own one.

    ------------------------------
    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
    ------------------------------



  • 20.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-21-2018 08:43
    I am also very impressed with Norman's cart. He does also sell a folding table top for it as well. Seems like it was very fairly priced also! 
    I use the Edwards cart at the school but it not only does not have a top but I'm not sure it's stout enough for one. It is VERY impressive for sliding actions in/out and rolling down the hall, etc though. 

    Norman's would probably be a better fit for trying to serve as BOTH an in/out cart and also somewhat of a portable regulation table. 


    ------------------------------
    [Kevin] [Fortenberry] [RPT]
    [Staff Techician]
    [Texas Tech Univ]
    [Lubbock] [TX]
    [8067783962]
    ------------------------------



  • 21.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-21-2018 11:58

    Susan: Thanks!

    Like you, I also use Jon's Taut line regulation gauge since many years back. I picked it up at a convention, and it's been in my bag ever since. (To Jon, participating in this thread: it must be one of the smartest things I've seen!)

    The Versacart is a must, I need that one! :)

    I got hold of Melanie at Brooks Ltd., and will hopefully get the caddy from her. Mark Adams mentioned in this thread that the caddy is available from Jahn (can't believe I missed that, being a regular customer at Jahn's, thanks Mark!), but it's quite pricey compared to getting it from the US, so I go for Brooks Ltd. if the one caddy left is still in stock.

    I'm also impressed by Norman's caddy/bench, and might get one in the future. For now, the LaRoy caddy is exactly what I need.

    ------

    I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your help! This forum is of invaluable help to me; this community is extremely helpful and helps me keep in touch with fellow techs and colleagues despite me being quite isolated up here in Finland.  Much appreciated!

     

    ​​

    ------------------------------
    Patrick Wingren, RPT
    Jakobstad, Finland
    0035844-5288048
    ------------------------------



  • 22.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-21-2018 14:17
    Patrick, I predict you will ADORE the Versacart! No more hauling gear in multiple trips, no more juggling too many things and dropping some, no more heavy lifting and trudging from a distant parking place for an institutional tuning. It carries the kit, a water bottle, my purse, lunch, and whatever else I need to carry, including Norm's folding cart hung on the handles. I even carried an action stack (no keys) vertically in it, with one hand on the top of the stack and the other on a handle.

    ------------------------------
    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
    ------------------------------



  • 23.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-22-2018 00:00
    Just wanted to add my voice in endorsement of the VersaCart. I use one in my private work, and another at the school. It is everything that Susan says it is, plus it is an easy way to transport things that may be awkward to carry. Surprisingly sturdy, yet light-weight and compact.

    Alan

    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------



  • 24.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Member
    Posted 03-21-2018 13:14
    Just talked to LaRoy at our chapter meeting and Jane and Susan get the last two.

    He said the assembly time is too much. He's almost 90 as he put it. He looks really good. I didn't know he had designed the upright action cradle. He was giving away some old tools, proto types. I got the antique square grand double headed tuning lever,,, Don't tell anybody.

    Maybe Laroy would sell the design sheet?

    Let's see,, I got the pin setter that keeps the pin from turning, A wooden string height gauge. A custom block for setting the jack sideways in the rep lever hole with out removing the wippen.
    LaRoy is awesome,,, the Guild should honor him.





  • 25.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-22-2018 16:38
    Keith, please thank LaRoy the next time you see him! What a neat guy!

    As soon as one of his caddies is available for me, he can just tell me how much money to send, and I'll write a check.

    <skline@peak.org>

    Looking forward to this, but I don't want LaRoy to get exhausted doing it, either.

    ------------------------------
    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
    ------------------------------



  • 26.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Member
    Posted 03-23-2018 10:07
    Hahha, that's a good laugh Susan,,, 
    Susan Edwards and Jane Edwards are his daughters,, they get the two that are left. He said he might be able to put together one more for me if I really wanted it,,, $500.
    But he really didn't seem interested





  • 27.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-23-2018 15:31
    Ah, forgive me for jumping to the conclusion.

    ------------------------------
    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
    ------------------------------



  • 28.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-22-2018 23:27
    Keith, LaRoy got the Golden Hammer in 1987

    ------------------------------
    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
    ------------------------------



  • 29.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-23-2018 00:11
    Yes, Keith. LaRoy is truly one of the giants amongst us. I am not a betting man, but I would bet that a strong majority of us use at least one tool that he invented, whether we know it or not.

    Anyone who has ever taken a class from LaRoy knows that he is one of the greatest teachers we have ever had (and with the most students, too!) Some years ago, there was an effort to create the LaRoy Edwards Teaching Award, to recognize excellence in instruction. Perhaps it is time to revisit that idea.

    Alan

    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------



  • 30.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Posted 03-23-2018 00:16
    Hi,

    If I had a vote, I would certainly be on board for that kind of thing!

    Yes...Golden Hammer in 1987...and, slacker that he is, LaRoy hasn't done
    hardly anything since....

    Kind regards.

    Horace

    On 3/22/2018 9:11 PM, Alan Eder via Piano Technicians Guild wrote:
    > Please do not forward this message due to Auto Login.
    >
    > Yes, Keith. LaRoy is truly one of the giants amongst us. I am not a betting man, but I would bet that a strong majority of us use at least one tool that he invented, whether we know it or not.
    >
    > Anyone who has ever taken a class from LaRoy knows that he is one of the greatest teachers we have ever had (and with the most students, too!) Some years ago, there was an effort to create the LaRoy Edwards Teaching Award, to recognize excellence in instruction. Perhaps it is time to revisit that idea.
    >
    > Alan
    >
    > ------------------------------
    > Alan Eder, RPT
    > Herb Alpert School of Music
    > California Institute of the Arts
    > Valencia, CA
    > 661.904.6483
    > ------------------------------
    > -------------------------------------------
    > Original Message:
    > Sent: 03-21-2018 13:14
    > From: Keith Roberts
    > Subject: Grand action, portable work bench
    >
    > Just talked to LaRoy at our chapter meeting and Jane and Susan get the last two.
    > He said the assembly time is too much. He's almost 90 as he put it. He looks really good. I didn't know he had designed the upright action cradle. He was giving away some old tools, proto types. I got the antique square grand double headed tuning lever,,, Don't tell anybody.
    > Maybe Laroy would sell the design sheet?
    > Let's see,, I got the pin setter that keeps the pin from turning, A wooden string height gauge. A custom block for setting the jack sideways in the rep lever hole with out removing the wippen.LaRoy is awesome,,, the Guild should honor him.
    >
    >
    > Original Message------
    >
    > Hi, Patrick
    >
    > Like you, I reached a point (a number of years ago) which dead-lifting a Steinway D action was possible but hard, and I knew that time was passing. I found a folding action cart made by Norm Cantrell, and it has done an excellent job for me. It is lightly built, just strong enough to do its job, but not heavy to carry.
    > http://cantrellspianoclinic.com/tools-and-services/4162135 <http://cantrellspianoclinic.com/tools-and-services/4162135>
    >
    > As for doing regulation with the action on the cart, what I do is set samples in the piano, and then I use Jon Page's brilliant and simple "Taut Line Regulation Gauge", which lives in my kit folded into a business envelope. Pianotek sells it. When people first see it, they think that the very modest price is still a lot more than the materials cost -- but one is paying for the extremely intelligent idea, not to mention the ability to work away from home using a tool which weighs about an ounce. If one sets up the cart and taut line tool so one is looking at it against a dark background, with the line set at the exact letoff line, it is very easy to see when the hammer will just touch the taut line. Much easier and more accurate than the conventional set up on my work bench at home.
    >
    > Here, this one:
    > Pianotek Supply Company - Products - Parts <https://www.pianoteksupply.com/store/>
    >
    > Another product which has helped me is the "Versacart", sold on Amazon. It is rated for 120 pounds, weighs very little, and folds up so it can be tossed into the back seat. The woman technician who told us about it put in a photo of it holding her action kit, a box or two of tools, and a Kawai grand lyre was laid on top. She instantly sold me on the idea when she said that her folding action cart will hang on the handles. Norm's will, though I have to turn it diagonally to put it on.
    >
    > Here's the Versacart. I think I'll buy a spare, because I certainly don't want to be without one. The only failing I see in it is that it is awkward to get up a flight of stairs. It even has a flap with velcro to keep the rain out.
    >
    > https://www.amazon.com/Folding-Shopping-Cart-VersaCart-Water-Resistant/dp/B078N32ZN2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521604250&sr=8-1&keywords=Versacart <https://www.amazon.com/Folding-Shopping-Cart-VersaCart-Water-Resistant/dp/B078N32ZN2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521604250&sr=8-1&keywords=Versacart>
    >
    >
    > Like you, I was recently tempted by watching LaRoy Edwards' YouTube of his action caddy. I kind of wish I had bought one earlier. I found the Flugelbauer site, but their version also didn't appear to be for sale either, and I liked LaRoy's version with metal instead of all wood better. I suppose I might manage to look very carefully at his YouTube and build myself one, but I probably will just carry on with what I have now, which works okay for me.
    >
    > ------------------------------
    > Susan Kline
    > Philomath, Oregon
    > ------------------------------
    >
    > Original Message:
    > Sent: 03-20-2018 11:48
    > From: Patrick Wingren
    > Subject: Grand action, portable work bench
    >
    >
    >
    > Hi all,
    >
    > I know that I've seen both homemade and commercial portable support benches for grand actions, but I can't seem to find them now. I have problems lifting heavy (and wide) items, so I'd need some kind of portable (as in able to transport by car) table/wagon, preferably on wheels, which could serve as a work bench for a grand action.
    >
    >
    > Does anybody know of a manufacturer, or has anyone made a clever own version for this very purpose?
    >
    >
    > ------------------------------
    > Patrick Wingren, RPT
    > Jakobstad, Finland
    > 0035844-5288048
    > ------------------------------
    >
    > Reply to Sender : http://my.ptg.org/eGroups/PostReply/?GroupId=43&SenderKey=2bcc950a-bfcf-400e-8f5d-ab14732ae620&MID=687471&MDATE=756%253d458478&UserKey=3feecf45-4a69-4cff-bbb2-fd6c7eaf0569&sKey=KeyRemoved
    >
    > Reply to Discussion : http://my.ptg.org/eGroups/PostReply/?GroupId=43&MID=687471&MDATE=756%253d458478&UserKey=3feecf45-4a69-4cff-bbb2-fd6c7eaf0569&sKey=KeyRemoved
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    >




  • 31.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Posted 03-21-2018 22:57
    Norman Cantrell, RPT sells a portable Grand action cart. His cart has a top which you can place an upright action on.  Click the following link to see Norman Cantrell's Grand action cart .





  • 32.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-22-2018 08:27
    Good morning Patrick,

    All of the items mentioned are absolutely great. Norman Cantrell's cart is exceptionally nice.

    A few years ago, I blew out a rotator cuff and had to find a method other than deadlifting actions out of the action cavity so I came up with the following:
    Aluminum X-style keyboard stand
    4 rubber stem casters from a stage dolly installation on a Hamilton studio
    4 mounting blocks to fit on the bottom of the stand for mounting the casters (the mounting blocks can be rotated to keep the casters in a vertical orientation if you want to raise it up for a taller, narrower workstand)
    1 extra hole drilled in the adjustment of the stand to lower it sufficiently to sit slightly lower than the typical keybed

    portable action cart
    Adding a tabletop in wide configuration or narrow configuration is easily accomplished but this saves weight, takes up little space in the van, easily rolls the action out of the way for damper access, is plenty sturdy for typical repairs or even for a few regulating points out of the piano.

    Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions.

    ------------------------------
    Allan Gilreath, RPT
    Registered Piano Technician & President
    Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
    Calhoun, GA
    706-602-7667
    allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
    ------------------------------



  • 33.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-17-2018 00:09

    I thought I'd report back on the development:

    • I got my VersaCart a week ago, and it's already helped me a lot -- thanks Susan and Alan!
       
    • The LaRoy caddy is currently is currently being processed in customs here in Finland, so I'll probably get it this week! The timing is perfect -- I'm currently working on a Fazioli 278 in the concert hall over here, and as of now, I have to bring an assistant to get the action in and out of the piano.
    • When my financial situation permits, I'll most likely get Norm's cart, too. It seems like a very good tool, not least because of the "mobile service bench" option.

    So thank you all, once again, for all your help! I'd also like to mention another tool that helps a lot when you don't need to get the action completely out of the piano. The Grand action support kit from Pianotek allows you to pull the action out much farther than normally. It's perfect for working with the action in the piano, sliding it in and out quickly to make adjustments.

    Here's a pic attached. Mine is made out of aluminium, but I don't think there should be any practical difference. 

    XRJhRI3DTEupPmIkVxMy_JGK-1.jpg



    ------------------------------
    Patrick Wingren, RPT
    Jakobstad, Finland
    0035844-5288048
    ------------------------------



  • 34.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-17-2018 01:27
    I'm so glad that the hints are working well for you, Patrick.

    Melanie Brooks told me that LaRoy is making a few more caddies. I'll get mine soon!

    ------------------------------
    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
    ------------------------------



  • 35.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-17-2018 05:05
    Patrick wrote:
    "I got my VersaCart a week ago, and it's already helped me a lot -- thanks Susan and Alan!"

    You're welcome, Patrick. I learned about the VersaCart from Joyce Meekins, RPT.

    Alan


    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------



  • 36.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-17-2018 07:47
    A network like this is such a blessing to have. Another big thank you, Alan, for steering me in the direction of the LaRoy Caddies!

    ------------------------------
    Patrick Wingren, RPT
    Jakobstad, Finland
    0035844-5288048
    ------------------------------



  • 37.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-26-2018 12:10

    And suddenly, everyday life is so much easier... this was the first day in a long time that I was looking forward to working with a heavy grand action :)



    ------------------------------
    Patrick Wingren, RPT
    Jakobstad, Finland
    0035844-5288048
    ------------------------------



  • 38.  RE: Grand action, portable work bench

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-26-2018 14:18
    A beautiful sight. LaRoy will be sending me a caddy in a week or two now. I'm really glad he's still willing to make me one.

    I think I'll buy a spare Versacart as well.

    ------------------------------
    Susan Kline
    Philomath, Oregon
    ------------------------------