In the "absence" of a top hinge pin, I will use a scrap of a wound universal bass replacement string, cutting a piece about an inch longer than the hinge and then bend both ends to the inside of the piano. I have never had a hinge pin back out again from vibration again!
Ken Gerler
----- Original Message -----
From: Wally Scherer
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2011 6:36 AM
Subject: [pianotech] Falling piano lid (was fallen piano)
I've had several instances where grand lids were not attached and no one bothered to tell me. Now I wiggle it a bit from side to side as I lift it a couple of inches, before lifting it up all the way. I keep some hinge pins in my tool bag. Sometimes they have to be bent a bit for a tighter fit. In the absence of a proper hinge pin, the customer may have a nail that will work.
However, as I think about it, a visual check beforehand would be better, right?
Wally
A FINE TUNE - Piano Tuning & Repairs
Wallace T. Scherer, piano technician, music educator
5020 Canal Drive, Lake Worth, Florida, 33463-8014
Telephone: 561-432-4121
Web page: http://aftune.angelfire.com
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--- On Sat, 9/24/11, Gerald Groot <tunerboy3 at comcast.net> wrote:
From: Gerald Groot <tunerboy3 at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Fallen Piano
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Date: Saturday, September 24, 2011, 1:08 PM
Scary stuff. I nearly had an accident with a Yamaha C-7 lid. Yes, I forgot to check the hinge pins…. When I lifted it up, it was nice and tight feeling at first but, this time I wiggled it side to side just to check it and sure enough, the thing took off toward the floor like a boulder because the back hinge was missing the pin! Luckily for me, I was in a position and am still strong, that I grabbed it quickly, pulled it back up, held it in place and then let it back down again with no damage whatsoever to anything at all. Phew! I went to the car, found a pin that fit, cussing under my breath at the SOB that took it out in the first place and then I fixed it.
Jer
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Delwin D Fandrich
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2011 1:03 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Fallen Piano
Haven’t you ever been told you’re not supposed to tilt pianos on their lyres?
This very nearly happened to me one time. The customer had been complaining about her piano not being stable following their recent move. When I arrived to tune it she asked if I would help her husband turn it a bit and when we did we discovered the two machine screws that should have been holding the bass leg solid had not been installed. The leg was positioned by two dowels and that was all that was holding it in place. Apparently the movers were in a hurry….
ddf
Delwin D Fandrich
Piano Design & Fabrication
6939 Foothill Court SW, Olympia, Washington 98512 USA
Phone 360.515.0119 — Cell 360.388.6525
del at fandrichpiano.com — ddfandrich at gmail.com
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Noah Frere
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2011 8:15 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Fallen Piano
Yes, this happened...
In slow motion the piano toppled like the tree that it once was, and I have a vague mempry of "No no no no no..." coming from me...
It all turned out well though. The corner was barely scuffed!
Beats me how there were NO SCREWS in the leg. Brother.
Oh - plus there is wax in the action...
Fun appointment!
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