[pianotech] Grand Piano Tilter

[Roger Gable]

Rex,
   My introduction of the grand piano tilter at the Las Vegas Convention was a little premature with respect to my production capabilities. Also, upon returning from the Convention I decided to make a minor change to the design to avoid to possibility of damage to the swinging leg. My goal is to build a tool than can survive the abuse associated with being tossed around in the back of a truck. The swinging leg feature did not meet that rigorous test, so I redesigned the tool to incorporate a fixed extendible leg. This new design now has little to no exposed parts that could be damage if the tool were thrown off the back of a moving truck. Coincidentally, that new design was perfected today. Now comes the manufacture of the parts incorporated within this new design. Here in the Seattle area, manufacturing is moving at a brisk pace with the Boeing Company commanding the talents of the local production machine shops, so one must stand in line to have even the simplest part made. I expect the end of November for the earliest release. Go to moondogmanufacturing.com for a brief description. 
   This tool is unlike the Piano Horse in that, when setting up the piano, it doesn't require a second person to lift the base leg area of the piano while attaching the last (base) leg. The tool was born out of the necessity for me to deliver my performance pianos by myself, or for my 2 movers to move the 7's and 9' pianos with ease. Also, Pianodisc installers have shown a great interest in this tilter.
   The two models shown at the Las Vegas convention were delivered to Rick Baldassin and the Yamaha Corporation, and I currently have none of the old design left. Let me know at roger at gablepiano.com if you want me to notify you when the new model is ready for delivery. The cost should be about $800 or less.
Roger Gable
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Porritt, David 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 1:42 PM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Grand Piano Tilter


  I saw that picture in the Journal and it looks like it would function much like the Piano Horse from Jansen.  I used a piano horse a few times when I was working at SMU and it was a help but there is nothing that will make a piano light!

   

  dp

   

  David M. Porritt, RPT

  dporritt at smu.edu

   

   

  From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Paul T Williams
  Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 3:03 PM
  To: pianotech at ptg.org
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Grand Piano Tilter

   

  I think Roger is at roger at gablepiano.com.  If not, his phone is 425-252-5000. 

  He's a great guy and will tell you if it's in production yet.  I'm not sure, but he's been working on this idea for several years.  It looks cool, but haven't seen it yet. I'll buy one when I can... 

  Paul 



        From: 
       "Rex Roseman" <rosemanpiano at gmail.com> 
       
        To: 
       <pianotech at ptg.org> 
       
        Date: 
       10/14/2010 02:49 PM 
       
        Subject: 
       [pianotech] Grand Piano Tilter
       

   


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  Dear list. 
    
  I was not able to get to Las Vegas this year but saw in the Journal a picture of the Gable Grand Piano Tilter displayed there. A Google search was unsuccessful, and I was wondering if someone could give me more information about the tool and where it could be purchased. Also, if there are other grand tilters available and/or that others use, that information would be helpful also. 
    
  Thanks 
    
  Rex Roseman 
    
    
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