On these big old ones,,, to recess the double wheel Darnall casters,, I take a 3 1/4 or 3 1/2 hole saw (narrower than the width of the front leg base) and drill a hole in a piece of plywood.
I use to do this with my Makita right angle drill. Now the larger cordless drills have a 1/2 inch chuck. Put your cordless on high speed and set the clutch. You won't break the pilot bit or your wrist.
Take the piece of plywood and screw it centered over the wheel hole. Remove the pilot bit and using the plywood hole as a guide, cut to 1/2 inch depth and chisel out the edge. set your router depth and take out the center 1/2 to 3/4 inch. I think the Darnall casters raise the piano 3/4 inch over the old metal ones.
Usually there is plenty of wood in these spots to recess that deep though the bottom board gets in the way and might have to be cut back first.
Remember,, the back wheels on an upright are 1/4 inch higher than the front. Don't try and make it level,,, the back tilts to the front for a reason
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Keith Roberts
owner
Hathaway Pines CA
209-770-4312
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-20-2021 10:07
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: Casters repositioned
Agreed. I spent a fair amount of time trying to figure out how to change out older yamaha U1 casters trying to avoid the height issue, which was really present to a number of the pianists who use this piano. Finally got some from OEM old stock from Roger Gable. After trying numerous ideas out, maintaining existing height was necessary for the pianists, both in terms of keyboard height, and pedal height. The organizers of the dance where is is used wanted it to move easily and the pianists didn't want anything changed...fair amount of sturm un drang...the old OEM caster saved the day.
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Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
Original Message:
Sent: 04-20-2021 06:10
From: Mark Dierauf
Subject: Casters repositioned
The pedals will also be higher, and even a fairly small increase in pedal height can make pedaling uncomfortable for some players.
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Original Message:
Sent: 4/19/2021 8:56:00 PM
From: Jon Page
Subject: RE: Casters repositioned
No problem, just higher. I hope the old casters do not vibrate at certain frequencies.
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Regards,
Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com
Original Message:
Sent: 04-19-2021 18:37
From: Laura Wright
Subject: Casters repositioned
Hello all,
I'm working on an old upright, and when I tipped it I found this situation:
At some point, someone put on the new wheels without taking off the old ones, necessitating putting them in a different position. Does this have any effect on the piano structurally or otherwise? Should I try to move them to where the original wheels were, or just leave well enough alone?
Thanks!
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Laura Wright, RPT
Ivory Keys Piano Service
Durango CO
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