IMHO...those seem like the wrong reasons to take an action to the shop...I understand the "do the work in my shop in my own time frame" idea. It makes sense and on occasion I will do it...but...when I give an estimate for repairs and it is all based on time...it should take X hours to do this work. I don't guarantee I can do it that amount of time because of the variables. So...Mrs. Jones, I will come by and put in 6 hours on your piano. I will do what I can in that time frame...they see me at the piano...doing the work...I'm not stopping to watch a game...go out on an errand...I'm actually working towards a goal on their behalf. At the end of the service call I will let them know where we are at. Mission accomplished...or the next service will need some more time to deal with whatever...piano service is an ongoing operation and never really accomplished. We just make it better... I take keys to be bushed to the shop...new hammers...lots of repairs need to be done in the shop...hammer filing, flange rebushing ain't one of them...imho David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 Original message From: "Willem Blees" To: pianotech at ptg.org Received: 7/17/2008 9:00:46 PM Subject: Re: Transporting a Grand Action I ALWAYS do "prep" work in my "shop", even if that's just a table in my garage. By prep work I mean vacuuming, shaping hammers, tightening screws, raise the hammer line a little, do rough let off and drop and rep spring adjustments. Then I do the final regulating in the piano. The reason I take the action home is so the customer doesn't know how much time I'm spending on the "prep" work. Sometimes I can get the work done in the time allotted. Sometimes it takes me longer. But there are also times I can get it done in less time. I don't want the customer to know that. And last, if I break something, I have my spare parts and tools handy, and I don't look "bad" to the customer. Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT Piano Tuner/Technician Honolulu, HI 808-349-2943 www.bleespiano.com Author of The Business of Piano Tuning available from Potter Press www.pianotuning.com -----Original Message----- From: Matthew Todd <toddpianoworks at att.net> To: ilvey at sbcglobal.net; Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org> Sent: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:10 am Subject: RE: Transporting a Grand Action I knew someone was going to say that, BUT, this will be my first paid job of the type, so I will feel 100% more comfortable doing it at my shop, rather than in the customers home. I will do the work in the home after this time on out. Anyone else have any ideas? Matthew David Ilvedson <ilvey at sbcglobal.net> wrote: I pull the action out and CAREFULLY swing it around as if you were going to use the keybed as a work bench. Then just put you hand around the stack...using it like a handle with the bottom of the keyframe against your leg as you walk. Keep in mind, the work you are talking about could be done right at the piano saving 2 car trips/travel time! David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 Original message From: "Matthew Todd" To: pianotech at ptg.org Received: 7/17/2008 12:40:38 PM Subject: Transporting a Grand Action Hello all, I will be transporting a grand action to my shop for hammer resurfacing and repinning. What is the normal procedure for carrying the action from the piano in the home, out the door to the car? Do I just carry it as is, or is there a special and more professional way to handle this. I'm not anticipating rain, but I guess I should be prepared for that as well. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Matthew The Famous, the Infamous, the Lame - in your browser. Get the TMZ Toolbar Now! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20080717/a48f408c/attachment-0001.html
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