Pulling Plates

[gordon stelter]

The concert grand plate I pulled at the refinisher's
was done using 3 of the regular 1,500 pound-test
ratchet straps of the type available at Lowe's or Home
Depot.  Clicking the ratchet allows very precise
incremental leveling, and further padding can be
placed where they wrap around the plate, if desired.
If you are worried about paint disturbance, I'd line
this padding with scraps of Naugahyde (TM). The straps
were formed into 3 loops, in a tripod arrangement
connecting them to the hook on the engine puller, so
that no hooks touched the plate anywhere. Three 1,500
pound straps on a  600 pound plate is overkill, but
scary nonetheless. That's why I'd use the fatter,
thicker version ( available at Wal-mart in automotive
) for big plates in the future. The ratchet would also
be easier to operate because the handle is larger. (
More leverage. )
WARNING! Some unscrupulous hardware stores sell
"cheapo" ratchet strap "clones" which would might nit
lift a fat kitten without breaking 
( thun metal on ratcheting mechanism ) DAMHIK.
     Thump

     Thump

 
--- Joe And Penny Goss <imatunr@srvinet.com> wrote:

> Hi Terry,
> Please send me a private post so I can send you a
> message. Tried to use your address in the journal.
> Joe Goss RPT
> Mother Goose Tools
> imatunr@srvinet.com
> www.mothergoosetools.com
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: Terry 
>   To: Pianotech 
>   Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 3:05 PM
>   Subject: Re: Pulling Plates
> 
> 
>   I've been wrapping a thick, soft, nylon strap
> around struts, capo, etc. for lifting. Haven't had
> it disturb new paint (knock on maple rim).
> 
>   Terry Farrell
>     ----- Original Message ----- 
>     From: Greg Newell 
>     To: Pianotech 
>     Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 4:55 PM
>     Subject: Re: Pulling Plates
> 
> 
> 
>     List,
>             Yesterday I encountered a 1960's or so
> Baldwin "D" which had one of it's plate struts
> looking rather thin. It seemed to me to be a
> potential weak spot. I haven't had the opportunity
> yet to pull a plate from an instrument that large
> but this particular one just might experience my
> ministrations sometime in the future. Are there any
> special things to consider when pulling plates this
> large? So far a "cherry picker" has worked just fine
> on pianos under 6'. As the pianos go larger the
> plate gets a bit harder to balance and support
> properly. I have an air hoist motor that needs
> rebuilding and some box steel that I could use to
> make a frame for it. That should cover the lifting
> part of the job but what about the support? Do you
> simply double up on the straps or other support
> means?
>             BTW, some time ago I promised a report
> on my experience with the Buldoc grand plate puller.
> Since my shop isn't all that busy (too many tunings)
> I waited until I had the chance to use it a few
> times. My advice is don't waste your money. The top
> bar is weak and bends rather easily which could
> allow the plate to slide if it became unbalanced.
> That could be disastrous. While I've only pulled a
> few plates to date I found that it was difficult to
> find the proper location of the plate to attach it
> to. I could get close and then the directions are to
> tap it around to get to the balance point but it
> always seems to have been too close to the bolts on
> either end. Tapping it, in one case, left some marks
> on the freshly painted plate which did not make my
> day either. I believe that I will continue to use it
> until something about it just irritates me beyond
> reason but I wish it worked better than it does. 
>             Has anyone ever tried putting some kind
> of bar stock through the plate holes and then
> attaching a strap to that? When using the straps I
> don't really like the fact that the strap hook comes
> in contact with the painted surface. Actually I'd
> rather that the strap material didn't either. Sure
> would love to see some pics on how others do this.
> Each one I pull leaves me scratching my head trying
> to noodle out a better way. Help me out folks my
> hairs getting thin enough as it is!!
>      
>     Best,
>     Greg Newell
>      
> 
> 
>     At 02:24 AM 12/8/2004, you wrote:
> 
>       R.Cromwell said: "While I am familiar with
> using a hoist attached to steel rafters as one
>       method of removing a plate from a grand piano,
> has anyone tried using an
>       engine crane to achieve the same goal?  Is it
> feasible or am I crazy - or
>       both?
> 
>        
> 
>       Gazing doubtfully at a poorly supported
> ancient wooden rafter,"
> 
>       R.C.,
>       I've used a "cherry picker", (the collapsible
> type), a couple of times, when doing work in another
> techs shop that didn't have a winch, etc. Worked
> just fine. They can be rented and are not that
> difficult to use/set up.
>       Best Regards,
>       Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
>       Captain, Tool Police
>       Squares R I
>     Greg Newell
>     Greg's piano Forté
>     mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net 
> 



		
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