Pianotech

  • 1.  Tool kit recommendations

    Posted 03-16-2016 16:27

    Hello,

    First off, thanks for your time and expertise. I searched for an answer to this but didn't find it. I'm want to learn how to tune and service pianos and I'm looking at all the tools available. I'm wondering if anybody could recommend a quality tool kit for tuning and regulation that is good enough it would last me a few years. I'd rather invest now and buy tools that I'll still be happy with in 5 years than buy the cheapest--but obviously I don't need to learn on a Cadillac, either. 

    Suggestions on kits or brands or models or price points?

    Thanks and have a great day.

    Andrew Hughes

    ------------------------------
    Andrew Hughes
    Boulder CO
    512-740-6988
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Tool kit recommendations

    Posted 03-16-2016 16:41

    Attend a local PTG Chapter meeting and get to know other techs. They can advise you and you might get hands-on inspection of their cases and tools.

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

    Jon Page

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Tool kit recommendations

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-16-2016 19:55

    Members will probably have second hand tools for sale that will be better than new tools sold.

    ------------------------------
    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    608-518-2441
    928-899-7292

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Tool kit recommendations

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-16-2016 23:04

    I'm really happy with my toolpak!

    ToolPak Homepage

    Toolpak remove preview
    ToolPak Homepage
    ToolPaks are the hands-free tool organizers widely used by serious tool users in elevator,
    View this on Toolpak >

    It has lots of room for various pliers, screwdrivers and small tools. I work for a lot of schools and having a tool kit in back pack form is great!

    ------------------------------
    Ryan Sowers
    Olympia WA
    360-705-4160

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Tool kit recommendations

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-30-2017 18:58
    Ryan,
    This week I saw your post from March of 2016 and checked out the ToolPak Original. I looked at several other options, but this six-panel backpack tool bag won out. I quickly tucked all the tools into their tentative locations and made my first tuning appointment with it today. I like this bag. Tool locations will no doubt change with use, and I will probably add a zipper bag for several items that are too small or odd shaped for the tool slots. There are even separate pouches for my iPad and bank card reader. If a backpack style kit sounds attractive to anyone I would recommend giving this one a look. I ordered mine through Wal-Mart for way less than the SRP. It shipped from Wayfair. Thanks for your recommendation. There is also a four panel version.

    ------------------------------
    Doug Garman
    Arlington TX
    817-578-4796
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Tool kit recommendations

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-31-2017 10:05
    When I was getting started I bought a large number of tools from a local tech that had retired, and paid a lot less than new. Piano tools are relatively expensive, especially the specialized pliers, which are outrageous. I'd suggest looking for a mentor in your area that can advise you what you really need and what you don't, lest you end up with some very expensive tools that are either outdated or just not useful (I have a few I could sell you...).

    The biggest variation in quality of tools seems to be in the tuning lever. For the money, I'd recommend looking at the Levitan Classic lever. It's very light and stiff, and has a head of the right angle. Don't buy a lever with a 5 degree head--it won't clear the top edge of many pianos. I only sold it when I got a Fujan carbon lever, but that's 3x more. Most of the other tools seem to be made by the same company. For example, you're not going to find all sorts of different price points for an offer key spacer. There's one.

    Another thing you need a mentor for is hacking tools, because there are so many ways to either modify or get by with something else than an overpriced tool. As an example, you can buy an expensive spring tool to seat vertical hammer springs...or just dremel a v-notch in a long skinny flat screw driver.

    Idea: at the conventions and conferences, let's have a table where techs can sell all those their pricey and useless tools to the unsuspecting ...

    ------------------------------
    Scott Cole
    Talent OR
    541-601-9033
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Tool kit recommendations

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-31-2017 11:04
    There's a lot more to servicing pianos than just tuning. And a lot of tools to obtain and figure out how to use. Also, there is not a kit you can buy that will contain all the tools you need. The tools in everyone's bags are different because we all bought what worked for us when it came time to learn and/or do a certain job.

    Since you are still in investigation mode I would like to recommend the Randy Potter School. His course provides an excellent overview of pretty much every skill you will need to learn PLUS he provides almost all the tools necessary to learn that skill as part of the course. Granted, most of them are not high end but for learning they are perfect. Invest in inexpensive tools to see if you like the gig then invest in the good tools, as you require them, when the time comes. For example, if you like the work you will outgrow the hammer Randi provides quickly. But an $80 hammer to learn with and then investing in a $250 hammer later makes a lot more sense to me than investing in that expensive hammer first and then deciding you don't like the work.

    Next, if it turns out that you DO enjoy the work, join PTG. Randi recommends that very early in the course.

    ------------------------------
    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Tool kit recommendations

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-31-2017 12:37
    Andrew,

    Quality tool kit? I think each of us has built our own. To my knowledge, there is no one size fits all kit. Each technician has different needs and desires. But I will tell you some of my most basic tools. 

    Tuning is the most basic job we do. And each tuner is a little different. As Scott pointed out, the tuning tools vary the most. You'll need a tuning fork (A440), at least two rubber mutes, and preferably two Papps Mutes. If you want to do good quality work from the beginning, I recommend you also buy a competent ETD (electric tuning device).

    As far as tuning hammers go, you don't want to waste money on a traditional extension lever. Not when you have all the options available today. I recommend you Google Charles Faulk Tuning Hammer, Fujan Tuning Lever, and Reyburn Tools. All of these are quality tuning hammer manufacturers which will provide you with a good quality hammer that you can use for your entire career if you so choose. They also have some very good articles on their sites that will tell you what you should look for in a tuning hammer. 

    Now for an ETD. First, you NEED to learn to tune by ear. Period. But aural tuning can take several years to master, and if you want to do quality tunings in the mean time, you should seriously consider getting an ETD. Use it as a learning tool, not a crutch. 

    There are several competent ETDs available on the market today. First and foremost is the Sanderson Accu-Tuner (SAT), as is evidenced by the price. Next is the Reyburn CyberTuner. Then the Verituner, then the OnlyPure app, then Tune Lab. All but the SAT now come as apps for your phone, which can be convenient. Do your own research on these, and make an informed decision before you buy. Check out all of them, not just one that someone recommends. 

    Other tools? A set of screw drivers from Home Depot and a set of Allen wrenches. Also a basic regulation kit from Schaff or Pianotek is also good to have. 

    Hope this helps,

    ------------------------------
    Benjamin Sanchez
    Professional Piano Services
    (805)315-8050
    www.professional-piano-services.com
    BenPianoPro@comcast.net
    ------------------------------

    Original Message