Grand piano repair question

[Greg Newell]

Vanderhoofven wrote:
>
> Dear Friends on Pianotech,
>
> I have a problem:
>
> -1930's Vose and Sons 5'7" grand (in poor condition) in a town 25 miles away
> -2 broken strings on said piano
> -about a dozen loose tuning pins in bass section (From dry winter)
> -long screw running through leg plate into bass end of keyframe
> -removal of action impossible because of long screw
> -repair of loose tuning pins and replacement of strings not possible because of
>      inability to remove action and support pinblock with pinblock jack
> -twice set up time to have several people assist in repair (remove leg, remove
>      screw, reinstall leg), but no luck in making connections with helpers
>
> Question:  Is it possible for one person to remove and replace a grand piano
> leg by themselves (and live to tell about it) and if so, what is the proper
> procedure?
>
> Thank you for your indulgence of my Associate-level Question.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> David A. Vanderhoofven
> dkvander@clandjop.com
> Joplin, Missouri, USA
> Associate Member, Piano Technicians Guild
> web page:  http://www.clandjop.com/~dkvander/

A rebuilder once told me to use an old automobile jack that has that
small flat blade-like arm. I think they were used in GM's something like
the 70's. Anyway you would simply ratchet up the jack, remove the leg,
place soemthing stable under that corner of the piano (for that warm cozy
feeling), adn proceed with your repairs.
                  Hope this helps,
                              Greg


Greg & Mary Ellen Newell
12970 Harlon Ave.
Lakewood, OH 44107