Caster repair

[ed440 at mindspring.com]

Yikes!  Old Steinway upright!?!!!!!

Michelle!-
Check the back edge of the bottom board.  If it is rounded or tapered, it may cause the piano to slip off the tilter at the absolute worst moment and cause a bad accident!!!
This is not something to explain over a mailing list and you should not undertake this until you know exactly what I'm writing about. Once you understand, it is very easy to deal with.  
Isn't there an experienced technician in your area who could guide you through this? 
Ed Sutton

-----Original Message-----
>From: John Ross <jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca>
>Sent: Sep 28, 2006 8:13 PM
>To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
>Subject: Re: Caster repair
>
>Another thing about the tilters.
>Don't trust the clamps, that come with some for securing.
>Use a strap and ratchet clamp to be sure.
>I had one come off and I ended up with a broken nose, and two black eyes. A year later I had to have an operation for a deviated septum.
>Be careful.
>With the tilter, it is a one person job.
>
>John M. Ross
>Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
>jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Mark Bolsius 
>  To: 'Pianotech List' 
>  Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 7:14 PM
>  Subject: RE: Caster repair
>
>
>  Hi Michelle,
>
>   
>
>  I'm with John.
>
>  The tilter truck is the way to go. especially with something as heavy as the Steinway; it's also much nicer to work a little higher when you're fitting the new castors - especially if you have to trim anything to get good rotation of the castors. Speaking of which, make sure you have good clearance, with the weight of the piano on them, what you might have thought was close enough won't be! - again, don't ask.
>
>   
>
>  If you absolutely have to use some brute force, make sure they put a piece of 4"x2" under the pinblock area when you lay the piano down, so you can get your hands under the piano again when you want to pick it up again - don't ask me how I know!
>
>   
>
>  Regards,
>
>  Mark Bolsius 
>
>  Canberra Australia
>
>   
>
>   
>
>    ----- Original Message ----- 
>
>    From: Michelle Smith 
>
>    To: 'Pianotech List' 
>
>    Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2006 5:35 PM
>
>    Subject: Caster repair
>
>     
>
>    Hi all.  Newbie here with her first caster repair.  I'm having a hard time finding good information in the books.  The piano is a 1908 Steinway.  The front two wheels are in tact.  The back right still has the socket but is missing the wheel.  The back left just has the hole.  Questions:
>
>     
>
>    Do I have to use the Steinway style casters that are listed in the Schaff catalog or would something less expensive work as well?
>
>    Do I need the wood caster bushings to take up space in the hole?  
>
>    What's the procedure for removal and replacement?
>
>    Is it imperative that I borrow a piano truck from a friend or can a couple of strong men lay the piano back?
>
>    What else have I not thought about yet?
>
>     
>
>    Thanks for your help and patience!  =)  
>
>     
>
>    Michelle Smith
>
>    Bastrop, Texas
>
>     
>
>