[pianotech] Tool for plate removal

[Thomas Cole]

The one I have is rated at 440# / 880#, depending on whether you are 
pulling up directly or using the supplied pulley / hook. If you run the 
cable through a pulley and then attach the cable back to the hoist, 
you've decreased the speed by 50% and doubled the lifting capacity. The 
arrangement I have uses a double pulley at the load end and a single 
pulley at the hoist yielding a 4:1 advantage in lifting power and a 1/4 
reduction in speed. Again, I'd recommend more reduction (next time I'll 
do the math!) but here it's more the lifting capacity of the pulleys 
than the hoist itself to be concerned with. I've used it to lift a 
plate, with an S & S B still attached to it, without any strain.

Advantages are, once you have the fun of building it:

1. It's always in place to lift whatever. No assembly required.
2. It's always stowed out of the way.
3. Once the plate is out, it's better to move the piano rather than have 
the plate swinging from the cherry picker, IMHO.
3a. A roll around table can be moved into place to receive the plate.
4. It has a power cord and a cool up / down switch.
5. It's made in China (okay, maybe not an advantage).

Tom Cole

Noah Frere wrote:
> Thomas: what's the capacity on your hoist? Harbor Freight sells 
> (according to website) a 1300# and 880#. Although Ron says a 1 ton 
> will handle anything, is that necessary? If i need up to a ton, then 
> i'll need 2 hoists. The harbor freight hoists lift at 33'/min. which 
> translates if i did my calcs correctly to 6.6"/sec. - much faster than 
> the 2"/sec. you've achieved Tom. I dont plan on doing a concert grand, 
> right now i've got a 58" upright, which is huge.
>
> On Tue, Mar 30, 2010 at 12:49 PM, Ron Nossaman <rnossaman at cox.net 
> <mailto:rnossaman at cox.net>> wrote:
>
>     Noah Frere wrote:
>
>         Great! Seems like the hoist that attaches to the beams would
>         be the most space saving. My beams are 2" x 7 1/2" and spaced
>         14 1/2" apart. That looks pretty strong to me (knowing nothing
>         about it). How much might a plate weigh - what capacity should
>         I go for? Would 1300# do it?
>
>
>     A 4x4 (or 4" pipe) laying on top and spanning four or more joists,
>     with the chain hoist hung in the middle, is the easiest semi
>     permanent installation. A one ton chain hoist will lift anything
>     you'll need, but I use two hoists for big plates. I like the
>     control and stability better.
>     Ron N
>
>