[pianotech] Installing Twin Dollies

[Joseph Garrett]

Rob,
You can do it like others have said, where you put it on it's side. It's
not a safe, but it's doable with the proper amount of care and perhaps a
helper. The "Stackers" can be used for any/all applications where a need
for incrimental block heights are needed.
Regards,
Joe

Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
Captain, Tool Police
Squares R I



> [Original Message]
> From: Rob McCall <rob at mccallpiano.com>
> To: <joegarrett at earthlink.net>; <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Date: 11/3/09 6:48:27 PM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Installing Twin Dollies
>
> Thanks Joe!
>
> That's a really great idea obviously borne on experience!  :-)
>
> My issue for tomorrow is that I don't have a tilter.  It's on my list,  
> but just getting started in this business, it's not quite budgeted for  
> yet...  Soon, I hope.
>
> I'm going to save this and make the stackers when I get my tilter.
>
> Thanks again!
>
> Rob McCall
> McCall Piano Service, LLC
> Murrieta, CA
>
> rob at mccallpiano.com
> www.mccallpiano.com
> 951-698-1875
>
>
>
> On Nov 03, 2009, at 07:46 , Joseph Garrett wrote:
>
> >
> > Rob McCall asked: "This Wednesday, I'll be installing my first set  
> > of piano dollies for
> > an upright. It's for a Yamaha P22 at a nearby Middle School. I
> > ordered and have the Schaff #4009 twin dollies to install. (NOT the
> > heavyweight one).
> > I plan on mounting them permanently and would appreciate any tips,
> > advice, tricks, caveats, provisos, stipulations, etc. that you are
> > willing to share.
> > Thanks in advance...
> > Regards,"
> >
> > Rob,
> >
> > I've found it's best to put the piano on it's back, i.e. on a  
> > tilter. That way you can attach the "saddles" to the bottom board  
> > and the back with strong #12 or #16 round head Screws, like it was  
> > designed. If you only attach to the back cross span the dolley will  
> > be a bit unstable and will work loose after the many thresholds, etc.
> > However putting the piano back on it's feet, with the new casters  
> > sticking out, beyond the back of the piano, presents a stability  
> > problem. This problem is best solved with two 4" x 6"ers or my  
> > favorite spacers that I call "Stackers". I'll explain what those  
> > are. Stackers are 2 (two) pieces of 3/4" plywood, (the cheap kind),  
> > approximately 5 1/2" x 9". These are covered with carpet on one  
> > side. AND 2" x 6"ers cut 9" long. These are drilled, through, while  
> > stacked, with 3/8" drill in two places approximately 2" from the  
> > length ends. When you drill the stack of 2" x 6"es, also put the  
> > piece of 3/4" plywood in the stack and drill it half way through,  
> > (3/8"). In each 2x6 glue 1" long  3/8" dowels into the 2"x6"s holes.  
> > Insert them so that a 1/2" of the dowel is sticking out. Let set up.  
> > Then, redrill the remaining part of the holes with a 13/32" drill  
> > bit. This will allow the dowels to easily fit into the holes when  
> > you stack the pieces. Now you can have a stacker that can be 2 1/4",  
> > 4" or 5 1/2" tall. You need two of these to do the job at hand.
> > When you start to tip the piano back on it's "feet", you'll find  
> > there is a "balance point" where the piano is approximately at a 45  
> > degree angle. At that point place the stackers on the floor in line  
> > with where the bottom board will contact the top of the stacker  
> > that's been placed the long way, front to back. Tip the piano onto  
> > the stackers. I usually only use the 4" height for doing the regular  
> > Twin Dolleys. For the large Twin Dolleys you may need to use eht 5  
> > 1/2".
> > The whole idea is to take the castor out of the contact point when  
> > you are tipping it back to a vertical position. Once the piano is  
> > vertical, again, then simply lift one end of the piano and remove  
> > the stacker and set the piano on that twin dolley, at that end. Go  
> > to the other end and repeat. Now the piano is safely on it's feet.  
> > If you like you can remove just one stacker layer at a time and  
> > bring the piano down in increments. I would advise having a helper.  
> > It can be done by one person, but it'll be a lot safer with two.
> > I hope this helps
> > Joe
> >
> > Joseph Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
> > Captain, Tool Police
> > Squares R I
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
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