plate hoists

[EHILBERT@midd.middlebury.edu]

Hi all,

      I have used a standard chain hoist for years with no difficulty.  I too
put protection around the rim - usually some soft congoleum (floor covering,
like linoleum).  I also have a bunch of 1/4 inch rods about 18 inches long whichI use to help
guide the plate into place.  Simply drop the rods down through
the plate screws into their respective holes in the pinblock and rim and the
plate is guided into place.  Another good trick which I learned from Norman
Neblitt in his shop is to use two hoists on larger plates.  One towards the
tail of the plate and one towards the front.  It allows for good control when
you need to tilt the plate in some pianos and, best of all, they keep the plate
from rotating, as it is prone to do with only one hoist.
      Another trick i do is to have the casters locked in place under the
piano so that it always travels in a straight line. I also put a stop on the
floor to catch the casters in the same place.  Thus, when you lift the plate
and then want to move the piano out to some work, you can roll the piano
back under the plate and it will go directly back into place because the piano
is back exactly where it was when you removed the plate.
      Lastly, if you hook up your straps on the plate and get them placed
so that the plate lifts level, it is then easy to locate the piano perfectly
under the hoist by simply putting a few plate screws back in and then lift the
entire piano just ehough so that the piano is barely touching the floor.  It
will naturally move so as to locate the piano directly under the vertical
lifting point of the hoist.  Set it back down and you are ready to lift the
plate and to roll the piano out and back under as often as you wish.

Ed Hilbert