Piano dolly

[Michael Magness]

On 9/1/07, Ron Nossaman <rnossaman at cox.net> wrote:
>
>
> > On P22s I've found it easier to just lift one end of the piano onto one
> > dolly, position it put the screws in the back, then lift the other end
> > on the dolly and do the same.  If you really want to put the bolts
> > through the bottom board you have to tip it, but I've put a lot of
> > dollies on by myself with the only screws in the back.
> >
> > dp
>
> I like screws in the bottom too. I pre-drill whatever screw
> holes I need in the dolly, then get them under the piano and
> screwed to the back just like this. Then the piano goes up on
> it's end (bottom corner) with a padded block catching it just
> past the balance point, so I can put the screws in the bottom.
> Being close to the balance point, I can pull it back to me,
> catch it as it comes down, and set it back down on the floor
> on it's new dolly. You couldn't pay me to try this with a
> tilter and six helpers, but I can do the job by myself this way.
> Ron N
>

I have found the holes in the back to be next to worthless without bolting
through the bottom as well. The lag bolts used in the holes in the back work
loose and you then have a problem. I've always bolted the back holes first
to hold the dollies in position. I then tip it, WITH HELP, since the tipper
won't work as well with the dollies on the piano. I'm 6'4" and weigh close
to 300 lbs. so I'm not kidding when I say you'll need help! I then use 2" x
5/16 grade 5 bolts after drilling holes through the bottom board. I use a
large flat washer about 1/2" size, with a smaller flat washer 5/16" to keep
the nut from pulling through, a lock washer then the nut. I do this on both
dollies and you'll have a permanent installation! The large washer is to
disperse the pressure of the bolt/dolly over a larger area so it doesn't
pull out easily.

I have installed about a dozen of these sets of dollies and have always
followed this procedure after seeing the sloppy job done by school
custodians who are given the job. When I had someone my size to help, I
stood the pianos on end, it worked much better than tipping on the back with
a tipper but I realize that's not for everyone! <grin>


I see once again we agree much more than disagree, Ron, I much prefer
tipping them on end to using the tipper

Mike

-- 
I sit down to the piano regularly at nine-o'clock in the morning and
Mesdames les Muses have learned to be on time for that rendezvous.
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com
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