removing and installing piano plates

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi Mark:

The engine hoist will work, but you need to have some felt-lined clips
to place over the rim to avoid scratching the inner side of the rim.

My son Jim Jr. uses an electric hoist which slides on an overhead rail.
My son Phil also uses something quite similar. Once you have lifted the
plate out, you can roll away the piano case and place whatever platform 
you like under the plate for sanding patching and spraying.

Jim Coleman, Sr.


On Fri, 1 Jan 1999 bases-loaded@juno.com wrote:

> Hello!
> 
> I am a first timer to this venue and have a New Year's resolution that
> perhaps someone could assist me with.  I rebuild 5-6 grands per year and
> am getting tired of having to round up Larry, Moe and Curly everytime I
> need the plate removed or re-installed after refinishing.  The long-term
> effects of this method are frightening:  we may all have bad backs and
> hernias and I may no longer have any friends!  
> 
> I would like to set up an elegant method of using a lift that will bring
> the plate up safely and in a controlled manner, and can then be easily
> transported away from the piano and set down on my tilting truck.  I know
> that a block and tackle system could be devised with rails for transport,
> but I am more interested in something portable, like a small engine
> hoist.  Keeping the lift controlled is something that I am looking for
> help with, so as to minimize scarring the rim, particularly on re-entry!
> 
> Any helpful ideas are welcomed!
> 
> Happy New Year!
> 
> Mark Potter
> 76 South Center St.
> West Jefferson, Oh 43162
> (614) 879-5005
> 
> e-mail:  bases-loaded@juno.com
>