Hi Dave,
Thanks for your comments. Preliminary pricing based on a 15 unit run is posted in the google forms survey, to see whether the price point, as you rightly point out, was appropriate to the market. Target price including the trolley, dip duplicating table, and string height target is aiming for $2700. This is based on quotes I received prior to tariff time. Affordability is a major goal in designing this rig, so I am focused on keeping it under 3k...which is, in my mind, the upper end of affordability.
Regarding flex, you are correct that flex changes dip. This aluminum panel is really quite stiff...however it does have some minor flex...the aluminum panel is really quite an amazing composite structure, and is amazingly stiff all on its own, even without the struts...but it does has some flex.
They key to working with portable fixtures like this, is to accommodate inevitable minor flex, with, as I say in the video, technique. Keep in mind this setup uses a Dip Duplicating Table. It is not, intended to duplicate Keybed as Chris Brown's fine rig does. Duplicating dip, is different than duplicating a keybed. It is much simpler, and gives all the control one needs to do an out of the cavity regulation, as long as you have the appropriate technique. Duplicating dip is the traditional approach which the Edwards Caddy took advantage of, and as such, is an approach appropriate for techs learning regulation. The technique can be used without access to expensive fixtures. The expense of my fixture is a product of lightness and portability, not of exclusive function. The basic function can be achieved less expensively, in a shop fixture, if portability and height adjust-ability is sacrificed.
1- only a few steps in a regulation require accurate dip; initial regulation proofing, check & drop. So I don't fret dip at all, until its necessary. Thank goodness letoff is not dip dependent, as letoff opens the door to develop ones technique outside the action cavity.
2- I use a version of what Chris Brown calls "Keysteps", to precisely record 6 sample whites at rest. (I don't use the rest of his protocol, which uses another set of keysteps). Chris' keystep idea is a brilliant and simple idea, and is the key on which dip, irrespective of the what the bedding actually is in the piano. can be precisely duplicated. I use the keysteps to record the rest position of those 6 white samples. One the position has been recorded, dip can be duplicated at any time during the regulation, as long as initial bedding was reasonable (perfect not necessary, but reasonable), and key height at the balance rail has not been changed on the sample notes.
2-when dip is necessary, then and only then do I refine dip. Using the elevating screws, and an easily learned technique, the compass wide dip can be nailed in 3 or 4 minutes. One must not blindly assume dip is still accurately set as one proceeds through the dip dependent process. But, it literally takes seconds to locally check the "keysteps" to confirm dip is still correct, and adjust if necessary by turning one or two elevation screws...seconds of time required.
It works, and is accurate...way more accurate than anything I've done before, and results is complete control in-shop and on-site.
So the two essential ways to accommodate minor flex in the table are, the use of a "keystep" like product (See Chris Brown's site) and have easily accessible access to all the table's elevating screws. Flex then ceases to be an insurmountable problem. Interestingly, I thought I would be correcting height adjustment screws throughout the regulation more than I ended up doing. I have a slab in my shop, so this helps. On-site, more vigilance is required. That vigilance, though, takes only seconds to confirm.
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Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-31-2018 12:17
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Cordless, Height Adjustable, Action Trolley- Market Research
Jim,
Looks like an excellent caddy. My guess is that there would be sufficient
interest for at least the 15 or so you propose, depending on price, but it
would be hard to gauge market interest without knowing cost. This was
a conspicuous omission (no criticism intended) in the video. If you could
post an estimated target price, it would be helpful and you would probably
get more of the feedback you seek.
I teach full time and don't want to instruct to techniques that will not be
available later. Fledgling techs will probably not have the funds (see
above statement) to afford expensive apparatus, so I teach to methods
I have found comfortable and efficient outside the shop.
You mention flex, and this is a fairly big issue with me. Even resting my
arms on the front of the table introduces a variable, so this could be
minimized in your trolley by adding a center struts located approximately
under the three rails between the spars, or at least under the balance and
front rails. This would probably stiffen the table in the middle well enough
to eliminate any appreciable flex.
Hope this helps.
Dave
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Dave Conte
Owner
North Richland Hills TX
817-581-7321
Original Message:
Sent: 10-30-2018 14:28
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: Cordless, Height Adjustable, Action Trolley- Market Research
Requesting market interest information regarding this lightweight, portable, cordless electric, height adjustable, Action Trolley and Dip Duplicating Table. I have been designing, fabricating, proving and using this system for a couple of years. After several iterations I have a system I really like. It has attributes I have not seen in other products, particularly the instant convenience of the electric height adjustments and zero-fuss setup. I and am currently using it in the shop and on-site. Youtube presentation embedded here, with a link at the end of the video to a Google Forms doc for feedback.
Feedback of interest as well as non-interest appreciated and useful.
We are trying to decide whether a small initial run of the system is warranted or not...I have one and love it....trying to see if others would find it as useful and convenient as I do.
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
https://goo.gl/forms/P2F55ftIqijFIn823
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Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
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