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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hey Rob,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>When I started at Illinois Wesleyan, my shop came
with a very nice, long free standing wooden workbench. I called the guys
at physical plant and had them saw it in two, make up the missing set of legs,
add casters and braces and piled my stuff on the bottom shelf (we added wood on
the sides of the shelf to keep things from falling off. My Foredom tool
hanger clamped to the table (oh yeah, we added a 2x2 for clamping)--it looked an
I-V dangling. Since there was a good elevator, I could travel around the
School of Music with it saying, "Bring out your dead" (in case there were
any Monty Python enthusiasts around). I used it mostly in the summer
when I was doing big projects.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>When I didn't use the traveling bench, I used a
luggage rack carefully piled with tools cases and equipment for other
jobs.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The nice thing about cutting the long work bench in
two was, along with the other counter tops there, I could
form some pretty convenient work stations in the small shop. I could
sit on my counter height office chair (that swiveled) and easily swivel
from task to task. It was easy on the feet.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Yours sounds nice and a lot more organized than
what I had. But I can tell you it's nice to have a portable work bench
like that.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Barbara Richmond, RPT</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>near Peoria, IL</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=rrg@unlv.nevada.edu href="mailto:rrg@unlv.nevada.edu">Rob Goodale</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=caut@ptg.org
href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">College and University Technicians</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, October 11, 2006 3:33
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [CAUT] Bringing the shop to the
piano</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Have you ever gotten tired of lugging the action
out of a practice room... or a class room, a studio or an ensemble room?
Then you drag it to the shop, (if your school has one), get it up on the
bench, and do your work. Then you have to lug it back, regulate it in
the piano, and still have service to perform on other parts of the
instrument.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have begun a significant project to resolve
this age-old problem that has been plaguing piano technicians since the first
music school opened in ancient Egypt over 3000 years ago. I am currently
in progress building a "port-a-shop", (working title). The idea here is
to build a sturdy portable work bench/mini shop designed specifically for
the piano technician from the ground up- not just something modified. I
convinced the music department to foot the bill.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Designing, building, and assembly is being
performed at my own shop on the opposite side of town. I have purchased
1-1/2" x 2"steel from a local supplier and have completed the welding of the
main frame work as of last night. It is exceptionally strong and
ridged. This afternoon I intend to purchase four commercial-grade
locking castors. There are two surfaces, the top bench area for action
work, and a lower level for a tool cabinet with drawers, supplies, and a small
but tangible shop vac. The hose will be made long enough to clean any
piano without removing the machine. A multi-outlet power strip will also
be attached. Only one main cord will need to be plugged for everything
to work. Accessories such as a heat gun, Dremel, or whatever will be
instantly ready for use, even a built-in work light. The top bench
area will be made of 3/4" hard press board with poplar molding to protect the
edges, and enough surface area to completely service any action
on-sight. With the steel frame work below the top will stay perfectly
and permanently flat. With two fixed and two swivel castors it should be
easy to navigate anywhere within the music department. In spite
it's complexity and built-in features, this entire portable shop will only be
about 5 1/2 feet long by 24" wide. It will easily fit against any hall
way wall without being in the way and fit in any elevator.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>When complete I can provide digital
photographs. I'm pretty excited about this, I think it will really prove
to be a major asset. More to come...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Rob Goodale, RPT</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Las Vegas,
NV</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>