Phil, I work out of my home too, have been for 15 years. I schedule tunings in the afternoon, usually 1:30 & 3:30. If I need to go further away I'll book in the area and start at 9:30, this gives me time to get a little done in the shop, if only to read the list and collect tools and supplies for the day. Once your shop work picks up, weed out the tunings. You'll miss deadlines if you try to 'fit everyone in'. If you have a full time field service schedule, where's room for added shop time. Once you pick up refinishing, get rid of the rest of your tunings. You'll have no time for them, you'll also have no room in the shop because between a spraying area, sanding area and drying area your shop is dedicated to that, unless you have ample acreage. You'll need a separate building for the shop because your wife is going to complain about those "odors". Sit back with a brew and watch a ball game, pay someone else to do the dirty work. Refinishing is a dirty, messy, dusty, mega-time consuming endeavor when things go favorably. When they don't, kiss those days and weeks goodbye. When I think back on refinishing, my first though is persistent, hacking cough. Sanding dust and overspray (HVLP cuts down on this) is everywhere. Rubbing-out is enough to drive you bonkers, watch out for those rub-throughs (there goes another 1 to 3 days). Done right, refinishing is not a "gentleman's hobby". Touch-up is, and pays much better, learn that. Isn't it bad enough that the Yankees took a shellacking? Fortunately, I have accumulated enough pianos to occupy space in my shop that I can't refinish, I can't even get to my parts drying rack right now. I send the case and plate to the refinisher (after repairs) and I concentrate on actions, stringing and limited tunings. Working less, enjoying my time more. -- Jon -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20060330/852ecc83/attachment.html
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