Great considerations, Blaine.
I sent a short video to you of a stability test that surprised me that the discs make it more stable as it tries to push sideways. I'll see if I can upload it later to a platform where I can post the link here for everyone else.
The piano horse you mentioned isn't something with which I'm familiar. I'm guessing that it isn't anything like the Piano Horse that was designed and built by Gordon Crail (rest his soul) for tipping pianos. That's another device (along with the Moondog tiler, etc.) that every tech should familiarize themselves with if they consider moving at all or even to just tip pianos in the shop. Maybe you can post a link to the item you mentioned?
Great idea to question. To quote a line from "Shaun of the Dead" (that my son and I use as a running reminder) "Safety first, Shaun!" (Although safety is no joke!) (Okay, that's enough parenthetical expressions from me on a Friday morning.)
Pianos are plaintively calling for attention.
Stay well, all!
AG
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Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com -
www.allangilreath.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2020 16:25
From: Blaine Hebert
Subject: Tuesday Technical Tip - portable grand legstand (Pandemic Project #14)
Allan,
Putting rubber on the pipe leg is a good idea, but I wasn't referring to the leg slipping. If the casters roll the leg has no horizontal stability and will roll out from under the piano. The folding leg and my Piano Horse are horizontally stable and won't roll. The original leg is stable at the body of the piano and can't fold over.
The pipe leg is still a good idea on a carpeted floor or with the wheels in coasters, but on a smooth floor with good casters there could be a safety issue.
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Blaine Hebert
Duarte CA
626-795-5170
Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2020 08:38
From: Allan Gilreath
Subject: Tuesday Technical Tip - portable grand legstand (Pandemic Project #14)
Hi Blaine,
That's a good caveat for techs who aren't used to using a device like this. In fact, I think I'll add some self-adhesive pipe insulation to the plywood stand to help insure that it doesn't scratch a hardwood floor or get a splinter caught in carpet. That's part of the great thing about getting all of our minds together on these things!
I don't know if the production JACK-in-the-BOX has rubber tread but I added that to mine as you can see in the picture below. (The new box was Pandemic Project number 13.)
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Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2020 02:01
From: Blaine Hebert
Subject: Tuesday Technical Tip - portable grand legstand (Pandemic Project #14)
Something to consider. If you use the "pipe leg" you might need to be extremely careful on smooth hardwood, marble or stage floors. That leg has little lateral stability and depends on the other two legs to stay upright. If the piano were to roll slightly in any direction the leg may lack adequate stability to keep the piano up. If used in the back where the lyre doesn't provide a back-up safety support the piano could come down. The plywood folding leg has lateral stability. Keeping a bench under the piano might also provide some back-up safety.
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Blaine Hebert
Duarte CA
626-795-5170
Original Message:
Sent: 06-02-2020 00:08
From: Allan Gilreath
Subject: Tuesday Technical Tip - portable grand legstand (Pandemic Project #14)
Good morning all,
Many carry a "JACK-in-the-BOX" (from Pianotek, Jansen, etc.) and/or a Grand Leg Stand (Pianotek, Premier Moving Equipment, etc.) for working on a grand leg. One of the tasks that I run into is the need to remove two legs to swap them to their correct positions after movers have installed them in the wrong spots. To that end, here's an idea for a breakdown leg stand that can fit inside the "JACK-in-the-BOX" without taking up all of the room of a welded Grand Leg Stand. If you don't use a jack box then this is a simple device to carry broken down into a spare tool or parts storage box.
(An extra tidbit: Cut off the end of the handle of your rubber mallet so it will fit. You could reattach the end with a hanger screw for use but I don't find that necessary.)
The parts list is simple:
- 3/4" iron pipe x 10"
- 3/4" iron pipe x 12"
- 3/4" floor pipe connector
- 3/4' floor flange X 2
- 6" disc of thick plywood X 2
- self-adhesive rubber tread material - 6" circle X 2
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Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
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