Lifting upright piano

[David Lawson]

Hi Jim,

Here at our shop we have a tool just for that purpose. It isn't very portable though but you may be able to adapt the idea into something that works for you. It is made from 1/2 inch plate steel (pretty heavy stuff) about 20 x 22.5 inches, with 2 steel bars welded on one side about 6 foot long that meet up the top in an inverted V shape. There is a handle welded on at the top. It looks a bit like a trolley they would use to move a fridge, but without the wheels. The idea is you put the flat plate steel part under the piano near the end you want to lift and as you pull the lever back, it moves the plate onto it's side, lifting one end of the piano at the same time. 
I've attached a diagram. 

Hope this helps.

Alastair
David Lawson's Pianos
Wangaratta.
Australia
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: James Johnson 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 11:53 PM
  Subject: Lifting upright piano


  I frequently move  console, spinet and studio upright pianos and I have trouble lifting one end of the piano up the first 10 or 12 inches.  Once I get it up where I can regain my purchase, I can easily lift it up the rest of the way to where the dolly will fit under the middle of the piano.  Do any of you know of any type of lever system that would lift the piano that first amount?  It needs to be portable and easy to use.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.
  Thanks, Jim Johnson
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