Toolkit Organization ?

[Mike Kurta]

    Hi David & Bill:
    Tools and toolkits are a very personal thing.  Everyone has their
comfort level and their priorities.  How one person sets things up and what
he takes with him to the job may not be right for the next person.  I can
only tell you what I do.  Since many of my customers are some distance from
home base, I carry lots.  My regular tuning kit (a Genck hard case) has in
it: my Accutuner, a Korg tuner for pitch raising, tuning wrench, many rubber
mutes, two felt mute strips, a power screwdriver, two penlights, small brass
hammer, pin driver with handle, lid prop (Spurlock's), basic regulating
tools and combinations handle, an assortment of wire for string splicing, 4
pair of differing pliers, multi-tip screwdriver, disc type wire guage,
syringe filled with titebond, small hypo bottles of key-brite, and protek,
protek grease, and more misc items.  This thing weighs over 20 lbs.  I have
this phobia about going back out to the car if I don't have to.  In the car
however, I have enough stuff to do almost any repair to any piano.
    There is a veteran tech in our chapter who only takes two tuning
hammers, a mute, one strip, a combination screwdriver and a fork packed in a
shaving kit.  He gets along fine!  If you really want some good ideas, have
your chapter schedule a meeting where everyone brings their tool kits and
shares the contents with each other.  Sorry this is so long winded....
    Mike Kurta
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Smith" <dsmith941@hotmail.com>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 17, 2002 7:19 PM
Subject: Toolkit Organization ?


> Hello, another basic question from a relative newcomer:
>
> I have only been at this for a couple of years and already have more stuff
> than I can carry in 3-4 toolcases.
>
> Will any of you veterans share how you organize your traveling toolkits?
> One for tuning and basic repairs?  One for stringing?  One for regulation?
> I have searched the archive threads but don't find a lot of this subject.
>
> I guess the most important question is "what do you take into the home for
a
> generic tuning appointment"?  vs what do you leave in the car, and how is
> what you leave in the car organized into seperate kits?
>
>
> I would sincerely appreciate learning from your experience.  Please reply
> privately if you feel this is list-clutter.
>
> Dave Smith
> Pine Island FL
> www.davidsmithpiano.com
>
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