Pianotech

Hi List,

I have a client who is replacing her carpeted floors with hardwood floors. She has an old upright with the original metal casters, which will tear up her new floor. She is also (rightfully) concerned that replacement casters may also scratch her floor. Is there a type of piano caster specifically made for use on hardwood floors, that won't mar or scratch the floor?

Thanks,

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Norman Dutton
Pacifica CA
650-359-0778
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My recommendation is to use the hardwood caster cups with felt on the bottom. The felt usually slides fairly easily on hardwood floors without marking them. Ryan On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 7:30 PM, Norman Dutton wrote: > > > Hi List, > > I have a client who is replacing her carpeted floors with hardwood floors. > She has an old upright with the original metal casters, which will tear up > her new floor. She is also (rightfully) concerned that replacement casters > may also scratch her floor. Is there a type of piano caster specifically > made for use on hardwood floors, that won't mar or scratch the floor? > > Thanks, > > ------------------------------------------- > Norman Dutton > Pacifica CA > 650-359-0778 > ------------------------------------------- > >

How about a set of caster cups? Cheap plastic ones (ick) or handmade wooden ones made by someone like James Grebe? http://www.grebepiano.com/caster-cups Paul Bruesch Stillwater, MN On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 9:30 PM, Norman Dutton wrote: > > > Hi List, > > I have a client who is replacing her carpeted floors with hardwood floors. > She has an old upright with the original metal casters, which will tear up > her new floor. She is also (rightfully) concerned that replacement casters > may also scratch her floor. Is there a type of piano caster specifically > made for use on hardwood floors, that won't mar or scratch the floor? > > Thanks, > > ------------------------------------------- > Norman Dutton > Pacifica CA > 650-359-0778 > ------------------------------------------- > >

Hi, Norman: You can install rubber wheels instead. You'll probably have to do some wood removal to install these dually casters because they'll be wider than the original. Most large pianos have the larger wheels inset in the bottom of the piano, and you'll either have to shim the caster sockets up so the wheels will turn, or remove wood (chisel or router) from around the socket to allow clearance for the wider wheels. Shimming is not recommended because that will 1) raise the height of the piano and 2) weaken the socket mounting. Be aware that the socket and stem of the caster MUST fit tightly in the wood, as the screws will not be strong enough to withstand the forces while moving the piano. There are wooden bushings available to fill the gap between the caster socket and the larger hole that the original caster was in. Newer sockets aren't as big around as the old ones, and you need those wood bushings to take up the clearance. You could also use some epoxy putty in there if you don't have the bushings. Now, having said that, be aware that the rubber wheels may dent the wood floor anyways. Some rubber wheels are softer and some harder, and there is a molding line cast into the wheel itself which may also mar the floor. Wood floors, no matter how hard, are still prone to dent. Those old pianos are nearly 1000 lbs, and so there's a lot of weight to hold up. Using caster cups is always a good idea, and better are the wood ones or the heavy lucite plastic ones from Jansen. The cheap plastic cups supplied by most new piano mfgr's are simply too flimsy to hold up one of these beasts. Hope it helped 'ya. Paul Mccloud San Diego > [Original Message] > From: Norman Dutton > To: Paul McCloud > Date: 08/09/2011 7:31:13 PM > Subject: [PTG Pianotech]: Casters and hardwood floors > > > > Hi List, > > I have a client who is replacing her carpeted floors with hardwood floors. She has an old upright with the original metal casters, which will tear up her new floor. She is also (rightfully) concerned that replacement casters may also scratch her floor. Is there a type of piano caster specifically made for use on hardwood floors, that won't mar or scratch the floor? > > Thanks, > > ------------------------------------------- > Norman Dutton > Pacifica CA > 650-359-0778 > ------------------------------------------- > >

Paul, Ryan, and Paul,

Thank you for the advice. I was concerned about the weight of the piano, and voiced that to my client. However, my concern was only speculative. I will go back and help her pick out some caster cups.

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Norman Dutton
Pacifica CA
650-359-0778
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-09-2011 22:54
From: Paul McCloud
Subject: Casters and hardwood floors

Hi, Norman:
You can install rubber wheels instead. You'll probably have to do some
wood removal to install these dually casters because they'll be wider than
the original. Most large pianos have the larger wheels inset in the bottom
of the piano, and you'll either have to shim the caster sockets up so the
wheels will turn, or remove wood (chisel or router) from around the socket
to allow clearance for the wider wheels.
Shimming is not recommended because that will 1) raise the height of the
piano and 2) weaken the socket mounting. Be aware that the socket and stem
of the caster MUST fit tightly in the wood, as the screws will not be
strong enough to withstand the forces while moving the piano. There are
wooden bushings available to fill the gap between the caster socket and the
larger hole that the original caster was in. Newer sockets aren't as big
around as the old ones, and you need those wood bushings to take up the
clearance. You could also use some epoxy putty in there if you don't have
the bushings.
Now, having said that, be aware that the rubber wheels may dent the wood
floor anyways. Some rubber wheels are softer and some harder, and there is
a molding line cast into the wheel itself which may also mar the floor.
Wood floors, no matter how hard, are still prone to dent. Those old pianos
are nearly 1000 lbs, and so there's a lot of weight to hold up. Using
caster cups is always a good idea, and better are the wood ones or the
heavy lucite plastic ones from Jansen. The cheap plastic cups supplied by
most new piano mfgr's are simply too flimsy to hold up one of these beasts.
Hope it helped 'ya.
Paul Mccloud
San Diego


> [Original Message]
> From: Norman Dutton
> To: Paul McCloud
> Date: 08/09/2011 7:31:13 PM
> Subject: [PTG Pianotech]: Casters and hardwood floors
>
>
>
> Hi List,
>
> I have a client who is replacing her carpeted floors with hardwood
floors. She has an old upright with the original metal casters, which will
tear up her new floor. She is also (rightfully) concerned that replacement
casters may also scratch her floor. Is there a type of piano caster
specifically made for use on hardwood floors, that won't mar or scratch the
floor?
>
> Thanks,
>
> -------------------------------------------
> Norman Dutton
> Pacifica CA
> 650-359-0778
> -------------------------------------------
>
>

If your client is particularly picky about the floor, be sure the movers are aware of that.  The caster cups may protect the floor once the piano is in place, but getting the piano to the place where it will rest may be a problem.  Movers may have to put down blankets, and sheets of plywood to roll the piano across the floor.  One time the movers physically carried the piano rather than risk rolling the piano on a new floor. 



-------------------------------------------
Richard West
Lincoln NE
402-477-7198
rwest1@unl.edu
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-10-2011 15:04
From: Norman Dutton
Subject: Casters and hardwood floors

Paul, Ryan, and Paul,

Thank you for the advice. I was concerned about the weight of the piano, and voiced that to my client. However, my concern was only speculative. I will go back and help her pick out some caster cups.

-------------------------------------------
Norman Dutton
Pacifica CA
650-359-0778
-------------------------------------------

I've moved quite a few uprights on hardwood. The best method I've found is to unload the piano from the dolly onto folded moving blankets - it will slide fairly easily on these. For getting the caster cups under I used another moving blanket folded into a narrow yet thick shape that will slide under the pedals. It will act as a fulcrum. If you fold it right, it will just hold the castors of one side of the piano up an inch or two, allowing you to slide the blankets under the casters out, and replace them with the cups. Pivot the piano on the blanket and install the other side. Then lift one side, pull out the blanket in the middle and your good to go. Usually the piano will slide pretty nicely on the felt bottomed caster cups, which is very handy for getting in a corner where lifting one side of the piano up will have wall clearance problems. Ryan On Wed, Aug 10, 2011 at 2:16 PM, Richard West wrote: > > > If your client is particularly picky about the floor, be sure the movers > are aware of that. The caster cups may protect the floor once the piano is > in place, but getting the piano to the place where it will rest may be a > problem. Movers may have to put down blankets, and sheets of plywood to > roll the piano across the floor. One time the movers physically carried the > piano rather than risk rolling the piano on a new floor. > > > > ------------------------------------------- > Richard West > Lincoln NE > 402-477-7198 > rwest1@unl.edu > ------------------------------------------- > > > > > > ------------------------------------------- > Original Message: > Sent: 08-10-2011 15:04 > From: Norman Dutton > Subject: Casters and hardwood floors > > Paul, Ryan, and Paul, > > Thank you for the advice. I was concerned about the weight of the piano, > and voiced that to my client. However, my concern was only speculative. I > will go back and help her pick out some caster cups. > > ------------------------------------------- > Norman Dutton > Pacifica CA > 650-359-0778 > ------------------------------------------- > > > > > > >

Be aware that there are more than one type of "hardwood floor" out there these days- solid and laminate. The laminate is cheaper but much easier to damage. We generally use walk boards on hardwood, pads won't help much in my experience. If your movers are slick they can set the piano down on the caster cups. The customer needs to understand the piano won't be easy to move to dust behind, etc. 
You can install Darnell soft rubber casters as mentioned before. Just make sure they are secured properly.
DP

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Dale Probst
Registered Piano Technician
Wichita Falls TX
dale@wardprobst.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-10-2011 17:16
From: Richard West
Subject: Casters and hardwood floors

If your client is particularly picky about the floor, be sure the movers are aware of that.  The caster cups may protect the floor once the piano is in place, but getting the piano to the place where it will rest may be a problem.  Movers may have to put down blankets, and sheets of plywood to roll the piano across the floor.  One time the movers physically carried the piano rather than risk rolling the piano on a new floor. 



-------------------------------------------
Richard West
Lincoln NE
402-477-7198
rwest1@unl.edu
-------------------------------------------