[pianotech] Fixing flexy stage dolly

[Mark Schecter]

I meant to say they had put wedges between the bottom of the legs, where 
they sit on the dolly, and the floor, so actually between the dolly and 
the floor. Is that not what you meant?

~Mark

On 1/28/13 8:51 PM, Susan Kline wrote:
> You'll do much better wedging under the legs instead of the dolly.
>
> Even just the front legs would do the trick.
>
> Susan
>
> Mark Schecter wrote:
>> The stage hands tried turning the wheels yesterday, or so they
>> thought, but it wasn't solid enough for this pianist. But I don't know
>> for sure exactly how they did it, because by the time I got there for
>> touchup just before doors, they had wedged the dolly and he was happy.
>> I don't fault the player at all, because I have felt the movement and
>> I understand it could be troubling for some players. In fact, I
>> appreciate his input, as this solution that I will implement will
>> benefit everybody, even though many won't know it.
>>
>> My thanks to you and others who have contributed to this thread, as I
>> now have a better idea than I started with, and that is a wonderful
>> thing. Thanks!
>>
>> ~Mark Schecter
>>
>> On 1/28/13 7:23 PM, Norman Cantrell wrote:
>>> Mark
>>>
>>> I have had good luck over the years dealing with trucks without brakes
>>> by simply positioning the piano on the stage and then kicking each of
>>> the three casters in the same direction as each of the three arms of the
>>> truck.  Position them so the wheel is swiveled toward the center of the
>>> dolly and because they are all facing a different direction the piano
>>> stays put.
>>>
>>> Joe I do not have a picture of the unit installed and I am no longer on
>>> contract with the particular university where I installed this unit. It
>>> is still on the piano as I occasionally attend performances there.
>>> Â  Because it is painted black and made of fairly thin pipe it fades
>>> into
>>> the background fairly easily and is not a distraction.  The reason for
>>> designing it in the first place was to help the truck roll easily as the
>>> casters were so canted they did not swivel easily and the piano was very
>>> difficult to steer and turn.
>>>
>>> Norman Cantrell
>>>
>>> --- On *Mon, 1/28/13, Mark Schecter /<mark at schecterpiano.com>/* wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> Â Â Â  From: Mark Schecter <mark at schecterpiano.com>
>>> Â Â Â  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Fixing flexy stage dolly
>>> Â Â Â  To: "pianotech at ptg.org" <pianotech at ptg.org>
>>> Â Â Â  Cc: "pianotech at ptg.org" <pianotech at ptg.org>
>>> Â Â Â  Date: Monday, January 28, 2013, 7:45 PM
>>>
>>> Â Â Â  Thanks for pointing that out, Jon. We actually did that last
>>> night,
>>> Â Â Â  but I'm looking to cure the problem so the incognoscenti can just
>>> Â Â Â  position (and reposition) the piano without tools or knowledge.
>>> Â Â Â  Mongo casters with brakes would work too, but they're concerned
>>> Â Â Â  about their new floor being damaged, hence rubber wheels. Do
>>> still
>>> Â Â Â  need brakes, though.
>>>
>>> Â Â Â  ~Mark Schecter
>>>
>>> Â Â Â  On Jan 28, 2013, at 5:27 PM, Jon Page <jonpage at comcast.net
>>> Â Â Â </mc/compose?to=jonpage at comcast.net>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Â Â Â Â  > I hate to point out the obvious. Place a wooden wedge
>>> under the
>>>     truck arm under the leg.  Stabilized.
>>> Â Â Â Â  >
>>> Â Â Â Â  > I have two of these when installing or removing a truck to
>>> place
>>> Â Â Â  under the front legs so the rear arm of the truck does not
>>> rise. I
>>> Â Â Â  call them ' Truck Stops'.
>>> Â Â Â Â  >
>>> Â Â Â Â  > --
>>> Â Â Â Â  > Regards,
>>> Â Â Â Â  >
>>> Â Â Â Â  > Jon Page
>>> Â Â Â Â  >
>>> Â Â Â Â  >
>>>
>>