[pianotech] Upright Dolly Recommendation

[Terry Farrell]

I'm not necessarily familiar with the "wrap around style dolly" -  
where and what is this available?  What you say makes sense. I'd sure  
like to see one.

Terry Farrell

On Mar 9, 2010, at 8:38 PM, Dean May wrote:

> I really do not like the dollies that cradle the piano on the bottom  
> board.
> Pianos were designed to be supported at the point of the casters. The
> support of the front caster gives a solid support to the keybed.  
> Otherwise
> all of the downward force on the keys has to be transmitted to the  
> side
> panels, then to the bottom board assy, then to the dolly. That is a  
> lot of
> stress that the keybed to side panel joint was not designed to  
> handle. I've
> seen institutional pianos with loose keybeds that had been on these  
> kinds of
> dollies.
>
> Plus, the bottom board assy may not be structurally strong enough to  
> handle
> all the stress. One piano I take care of has the bottom board warped  
> up high
> enough that the bottom panel is near impossible to get off to  
> service the
> dampchaser. I have to unscrew the spring clip to get enough  
> clearance to
> rotate the panel forward and even then it scrapes against the bottom  
> of the
> keybed.
>
> I highly recommend using only the wrap around style dolly that gives a
> support at each corner of the piano. That is where the designer  
> intended for
> the weight and playing loads to be carried.
>
> Dean
>
> Dean W May                (812) 235-5272
>
> PianoRebuilders.com    (888) DEAN-MAY
>
> Terre Haute IN 47802
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org]  
> On Behalf
> Of Terry Farrell
> Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 5:02 PM
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: [pianotech] Upright Dolly Recommendation
>
> A church client called me today and asked me to order a dolly for
> their Yamaha upright (don't think it's a U-series - maybe like a T-118
> or so). I don't have much experience with these. Anyone have a
> recommendation? I'm thinking something like the #4009 Upright Twin
> Dollies from Pianotek would do the job. Do these hold up? I see they
> have a #4010 heavy duty dolly with bigger wheels - but does that put
> the piano way up in the air? Any input would be appreciated.
>
> Terry Farrell
>