[pianotech] not for the feint of heart or anything else

Mon Jun 21 08:15:59 MDT 2010

Agreed - I am imagining the plate breaking away from the case and major flexing happening near the webbing.
Action breaking away from dags.
What may move inside when we start moving it.
Gene
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Tom Servinsky 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 3:52 AM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] not for the feint of heart or anything else

  Quite honestly, the damage to the cabinet during the righting of the piano is going to be the least of the concerns.
  My advise is if you need the work and want to get involved, go for it. 
  But start with a  good disclaimer to the customer what you will not be liable for. The scratches, the dings, the crunched cheek areas,and yes, maybe even the cracked plate if this thing fell down hard. That's a lot of weight and momentum which probably came to an abrupt stop. The thud often heard is sometimes referred to the Dominant Damaged 7th chord, also referred to as the Ruptured 7th Chord ( root position of course) .
  One of the theaters I work for had a similar experience. It took about 8 of the stage hands to get it righted. They would lift it  about a foot, then put a wooden spacer to keep the height. Then do another lift, add another spacer, take a breather. Then once it was half way up, one final lift/push and it was back.
  Tom Servinsky

  ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: William Truitt 
    To: pianotech at ptg.org 
    Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 6:07 AM
    Subject: Re: [pianotech] not for the feint of heart or anything else

    Why not ask the obvious question:  What's wrong with hiring a full time, fully insured professional piano mover, assuming such an animal exists in your area, Gene?  

    If I had any interest in being the go to person for any repairs the piano might need, I would go to the site to see the piano and the accident scene before engaging the services of the mover.  Perhaps have contacted him prior and told him of the situation, then call on your cell at the site.

    The 5 or 6 strong backs and weak minds are not a good idea.  All you are  doing is moving a big slice of liability pie onto your plate, both for the piano and your workers.  It sounds like the client tried to move it himself rather than engage the services of a mover, probably to save money.   Otherwise, it would be the responsibility and liability of the mover to correct the mistake.

    It is likely that any method used to right the piano will likely (and unavoidably) cause some further damage to the case as you begin to right the piano.  Your client may want to blame you for that too.  

    At this juncture, it is important to ask yourself how your own interests are served by directly participating in moving this piano.

    Will Truitt

    From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Terry Farrell
    Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 4:56 AM
    To: pianotech at ptg.org
    Subject: Re: [pianotech] not for the feint of heart or anything else

    I'm not sure my comments or any other method is really a "good" way to go about this. Probably the only real good way to do it would be to hire a suitable truck-mounted crane. However, not that I have direct experience with temporary labor pools, but it seems to me that last thing you want is a bunch of guys that have never handled a piano doing this. I wouldn't be comfy with it anyway......

    Terry Farrell

    On Jun 21, 2010, at 3:08 AM, tnrwim at aol.com wrote:

    Gene

    This sounds like a prank. Who was moving this piano? Where are the movers? 

    But if it is for real, and the customer is really panicked, I would reschedule my first two customers on Monday morning. But don't try to do this yourself, and I wouldn't use any mechanical tools. Call the local labor pool and hire five or six strong backs to help you pick up the piano. 

    Wim

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Gene Nelson <nelsong at intune88.com>
    To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
    Sent: Sun, Jun 20, 2010 6:12 pm
    Subject: [pianotech] not for the feint of heart or anything else

    Got a call from a frantic client.

    Piano fell off of a dolly and is lying upside down and wants me to get involved to right it.

    It is a 9' concert grand.

    Will not be able to see it till late tomorrow or Tuesday.

    I have a portable engine puller and an overhead winch/snatch block mounted on a trailer than is probably usable and it sounds like there is good clearance around the piano for access. Have plenty of straps, blankets and pads.

    Anyone care to share experience or give advice would be appreicated.

    Gene

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