get a grip?

[Sambell, Ted]

Mark!

All Bosenforfer grands do this already, and it makes very good sense.
Another thing they do is to put two holes about six or seven inches apart
into the edge of the front rail of the keyframe. Trevor Nelson, who as you
know, spent some time at Bosendorfer told me that their technicians carry a
strong leather handle and two screws
to fasten it to the front edge of the keyframe,similar to the idea of the
wire handles in the old squares (and old Mason & Risch grands) to facilitate
withdrawing the action. Nelson said they also carry the keys with the stack
attached around like a suitcase by this handle, which scared me somewhat,
but I did try it and had no problems. The leather is thick shoe leather ,
and the screws should be at least #10's x 1/14" and used with washers under
the screw heads. It certainly makes handling the action easier, but if one
adopts the idea it would be well to make certain the leather is in good
condition and that the screws are very secure.

Regards to all, Ted
-----Original Message-----
From: Joel Jones [mailto:jajones2@facstaff.wisc.edu]
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2001 3:27 PM
To: caut@ptg.org
Subject: Re: get a grip?


On 2/2/01 9:57 AM, "Mark Cramer" <cramer@BrandonU.CA> wrote:

> Good Morning All,
> 
> I'm considering routing some recesses in the keybed-undersides of several
of
> our recital pianos. This in my mind would provide a convenient
"finger-hold"
> when moving these instruments.
> 
> A "half-round" profile to a depth of no more than 1/2" is what I have in
> mind. These recesses need be no more than 3" or 4" wide (parallel to the
> keyboard) and would be located perhaps an inch in from the front, and 5 or
6
> inches from each side.
> 
> Can any suggest a good reason not to do this?
> 
> thanks,
> 
> Mark Cramer,
> Brandon University
> 
Mark,
 This saves fingers  !  I 'hand holds'  on all our concert grands 12 years
ago with some reservation about the integrity to the keybed.     I have not
noticed any problem in stability during  our seasonal changes or  humidity
shifts.            
     I highly recommend routing in the underside of the keybed. Your depths
of 1/2" and 4" wide may be alittle narrow.    I used a 3/4 straight side
router bit with a plunge router.  I opted not to add half- round because of
possible long legs bumping into these protrusions
    I am now dependant upon these cuts.   Yesterday I was moving a 7'
concert piano and automatically reached under the bed to guide the piano
through  a door.   Surprise  - this was not a UW piano and I was grabbing
for a smooth bed.
    The cuts give excellent control particularly if just one person is doing
the moving.  It is amazing how much you can guide the tail from the keybed.
Left to Right or pulling the piano out of a storage shed is much easier.
     Ideally I find two movers, but when push comes to shove I want the
'hand holds'.
Joel
-- 
 Joel A. Jones
Senior Piano Technician
1501 Humanities Building
455 North Park Street
Madison, WI  53706
FAX 608 - 262 - 8876
608 - 263 - 1887
http://uwpianos.music.wisc.edu/