<html><div style='background-color:'> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #a0c6e5 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <HR color=#a0c6e5 SIZE=1> From: pianotech-request@ptg.org Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Pianotech Digest, Vol 1284, Issue 207 Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:18:16 -0700 >Send Pianotech mailing list submissions to > pianotech@ptg.org > >To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives >or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > pianotech-request@ptg.org > >You can reach the person managing the list at > pianotech-owner@ptg.org > >When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific >than "Re: Contents of Pianotech digest..." >Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: tax question (Mike Spalding) > 2. Re: Grand Action Dolly(s) (Arbeau Piano) > 3. tax question (Jon Page) > 4. Re: Stiff Damper Rail (Jim Keaney) > 5. Re: mutes (Shawn Brock) > 6. Re: Stiff Damper Rail (Jim Keaney) > 7. Re: mutes (Jurgen Goering) > 8. Re: Stiff Damper Rail (Avery) > 9. Re: Birdcage Tech, Baldwin String Breakage (paul bruesch) > 10. Re: tax question (Andrew and Rebeca Anderson) > 11. P22 string breakage (pianolady50@peoplepc.com) <HR color=#a0c6e5 SIZE=1> From: Mike Spalding <mike.spalding1@verizon.net> Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> Subject: Re: tax question Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:17:15 -0600 >Ed, > >Here's a link to the Schedule C instructions at irs.gov: >http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1040sc.pdf > >Read the paragraph about line 22 production supplies on pg 5 of the >instructions, and on pg 7 regarding cost of goods sold and inventory >accounting. > >I usually list punchings and glue as supplies; and DamppChasers, >hammer sets, pinblock blanks etc. as COGS in the year that they are >purchased. > >Mike > >ed miller wrote: >>Hello, >> >>How do you do your taxes in regard to the materials used when >>servicing pianos. >> >>For example, glues, tapes and paper puchings. Are these things >>deducted (in that they are operating expenses)? Or are they claimed >>as parts sold (for example, when you regulate a piano your client >>has essentially bought the punchings used to level the keys)? >>Deducted vs claimed.....hmmm? >> >>When I charge a client for a regulation (including pre-regualation >>repairs) I add a shop supplies fee, somewhere around $10-15. How do >>I account for this when filing my taxes? >> >>Thanks, >>Ed >> >>_________________________________________________________________ >>Win a Zune™—make MSN® your homepage for your chance to win! >>http://homepage.msn.com/zune?icid=hmetagline >> >> > <HR color=#a0c6e5 SIZE=1> From: "Arbeau Piano" <ArbeauPiano@comcast.net> Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech@ptg.org> Subject: Re: Grand Action Dolly(s) Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:14:39 -0600 >Laroy's was one of the best grand tools I've purchased in a long >time! I bought one this past Oct. and have used it non-stop since. >Gerald Arbeau > > <HR color=#a0c6e5 SIZE=1> From: Jon Page <jonpage@comcast.net> Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: tax question Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:35:22 -0500 >How do you do your taxes in regard to the materials used when >servicing >pianos. >For example, glues, tapes and paper puchings. Are these things >deducted (in >that they are operating expenses)? Or are they claimed as parts sold >(for >example, when you regulate a piano your client has essentially >bought the >punchings used to level the keys)? Deducted vs claimed.....hmmm? > >When I charge a client for a regulation (including pre-regualation >repairs) >I add a shop supplies fee, somewhere around $10-15. How do I account >for >this when filing my taxes? > >Small items are part and parcel of business and need not be >invoiced. Higher priced >items are subject to sales tax or not, depending on who you are >doing the work for. >For instance, I list the action frame felt on the invoice but not >the cardboard/paper punchings. I figure they are covered in the >mark-up on the cloth. > >I have two sales categories in Quicken: sales, taxable and sales, >non-taxable. > >All supplies are entered as business expense and when sold for a job >are entered >into a sales category and taxed appropriately. Parts purchased for a >piano which >is to be sold are included with the retail price and covered by the >ensuing sales tax. >Regards, > >Jon Page >--============_-1039503152==_ma============ >Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" > ><!doctype html public "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> ><html><head><style type="text/css"></style><title>tax question</title></head><body> ><blockquote>How do you do your >taxes in regard to the materials used when >servicing</blockquote> ><blockquote>>color="#000000">pianos.</blockquote> ><blockquote>For example, glues, >tapes and paper puchings. Are these things deducted >(in</blockquote> ><blockquote>that they are operating >expenses)? Or are they claimed as parts sold (for</blockquote> ><blockquote>example, when you >regulate a piano your client has essentially bought >the</blockquote> ><blockquote>punchings used to level >the keys)? Deducted vs claimed.....hmmm?</blockquote> ><blockquote>>color="#000000"> </blockquote> ><blockquote>When I charge a client >for a regulation (including pre-regualation >repairs)</blockquote> ><blockquote>I add a shop supplies >fee, somewhere around $10-15. How do I account for</blockquote> ><blockquote>this when filing my >taxes?</blockquote> ><div> </div> ><div>Small items are part and parcel of business and need not be >invoiced. Higher priced</div> ><div>items are subject to sales tax or not, depending on who you are >doing the work for.</div> ><div>For instance, I list the action frame felt on the invoice but not >the cardboard/paper punchings. I figure they are covered in the >mark-up on the cloth.</div> ><div> </div> ><div>I have two sales categories in Quicken: sales, taxable and sales, >non-taxable.</div> ><div> </div> ><div>All supplies are entered as business expense and when sold for a >job are entered</div> ><div>into a sales category and taxed appropriately. Parts purchased >for a piano which</div> ><div>is to be sold are included with the retail price and covered by >the ensuing sales tax.</div> ><x-sigsep><pre>-- ></pre></x-sigsep> ><div> >Regards, > >Jon Page</div> ></body> ></html> >--============_-1039503152==_ma============-- > <HR color=#a0c6e5 SIZE=1> From: Jim Keaney <pianoTuna@comcast.net> Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> To: pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org> Subject: Re: Stiff Damper Rail Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:53:11 -0500 >>I'm not I know exactly what you mean, but is there a dummy damper? >> That is >>just a damper lever (no damper) that has a strong spring, which I >>believe is >>supposed to help with the return of the rod. If there is one, >>perhaps >>decreasing the tension of the spring might help. Is it a >>coincidence that >>I've seen a few of those springs so strong that there have been >>broken >>damper rod hangers? >> >>Barbara Richmond, RPT >>near Peoria, Illinois > >Thanks for your response, Barbara. There was a dummy damper, which >was stiff, but even when I removed it, the tension was still too >much for the pedal. The damper rod hangers are still in good shape. > >Jim Keaney > <HR color=#a0c6e5 SIZE=1> From: "Shawn Brock" <shawn_brock@comcast.net> Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech@ptg.org> Subject: Re: mutes Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:10:28 -0500 <META content="Microsoft SafeHTML" name=Generator> <STYLE> </STYLE> <DIV>Yep, I do that now.  I think Emil Fries might have started it.  Ken Service showed me that method.  It works well and I can put in the strip with one hand!  No use in getting out the screwdriver anymore.  Using your fingers will also prolong the life of your strip.  Though I hate using a temperament strip, more of a single mute fellow myself.  But...  That's a hole new subject aint it!</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #ff0000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black">From: <A title=pianotune05@comcast.net href="mailto:pianotune05@comcast.net">pianotune05@comcast.net</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">To: <A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 9:18 AM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">Subject: mutes</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I heard that some people use their fingers to push the strip mute in.  Has anyone here ever done  this?</DIV> <DIV>Marshall</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <HR color=#a0c6e5 SIZE=1> From: Jim Keaney <pianoTuna@comcast.net> Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> To: pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org> Subject: Re: Stiff Damper Rail Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:13:27 -0500 >Hello everyone and thanks for all the responses. I think the problem > is the swing hinge, but, as many of you mentioned, the rod is not >hard to remove. (I was ready to take all the dampers off ...) > >Thanks for saving me a lot of wasted time! >Jim Keaney >Wilkes-Barre Scranton, PA > <HR color=#a0c6e5 SIZE=1> From: Jurgen Goering <pianoforte@pianofortesupply.com> Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Re: mutes Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:24:04 -0800 >As a rule on any older upright, I strip mute the bass. This does >two things for me - it prevents sympathetic ringing from the damper >leakage when I am tuning the tenor and treble, and when I tune the >bass, I simply pull out the strip bit by bit as I work my way down. >No sticking in of mutes for me. As for inserting a strip mute, I >don't know why it should take more than 20 seconds. (I don't >bother with stuffing the strip below the dampers.) > >To push the strip in, I use my European flange spacing tool. It is >wide and slim, just what I find useful. And, it spaces flanges! > >Jurgen Goering >Piano Forte Supply >(250) 754-2440 >info@pianofortesupply.com >http://www.pianofortesupply.com > ><< Mute-Strip.02.a.jpg >> <HR color=#a0c6e5 SIZE=1> From: Avery <avery1@houston.rr.com> Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> Subject: Re: Stiff Damper Rail Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:42:17 -0600 Jim, I'm not sure what a "swing hinge" is. Sorry. But I still bet it's a really stiff pedal spring! Let us know what you figure out! Avery At 07:13 PM 2/27/2007, you wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE class=cite cite="">Hello everyone and thanks for all the responses. I think the problem  is the swing hinge, but, as many of you mentioned, the rod is not  hard to remove. (I was ready to take all the dampers off ...) Thanks for saving me a lot of wasted time! Jim Keaney Wilkes-Barre Scranton, PA </BLOCKQUOTE> <HR color=#a0c6e5 SIZE=1> From: "paul bruesch" <tunergeek@gmail.com> Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech@ptg.org> Subject: Re: Birdcage Tech, Baldwin String Breakage Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:52:14 -0600 On the string breakage note, yesterday I had A1 and A#1 break in a school band room piano... Yamaha P22, 1993 vintage. I was pretty surprised, but it does get used LOTS, and I think it's been abused. Bruises all over, miserable environment conditions (75 degrees, 18% humidity at 5pm... in west central Wisconsin... in February). Soundboard is cracked, hammers are more grooved than most home-based pianos (of that era) I see. The front-to-rear base extensions (the front legs attach to them over the casters) are metal-bracketed (after-market (by the school maintenance dept??)) in an apparent repair effort. Sad. <DIV>On 2/27/07, Paul McCloud <<A href="mailto:service@pianosd.com">service@pianosd.com</A>> wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex"> <DIV lang=EN-US> <DIV> Is this piano subjected to heavy usage, perhaps in a church?  If it is, that would explain a lot of string breakage.                 Paul McCloud             San Diego <DIV>   -----Original Message----- From: <A href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org">pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</A> [mailto:<A href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org">pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</A>] On Behalf Of <A href="mailto:ginnybear@att.net">ginnybear@att.net</A> Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 9:10 AM To: <A href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> Subject: Birdcage Tech, Baldwin String Breakage   <DIV> Does anyone know of a piano tech who is willing to work on a Danish birdcage/overdamper piano in Seattle?  I was able to tune the piano, but it's "near the end of its wear cycle" and I don't want to get involved with repairing it.  Not much wrong with it yet, but it's old, of course.</DIV> <DIV>  </DIV> <DIV> Second and unrelated, I had a weird multiple string breaking experience recently.  It's about a 6' Baldwin grand, with a hidden (haven't found it yet) serial number, looks pretty new.  It's one of those Baldwins where it's hard to get the pin to move without moving your hammer much greater than usual, but you gotta do it for the sake of stability.</DIV> <DIV>  </DIV> <DIV> On my first visit there almost a year ago, it presented with a broken string, a bichord near the top of the bass.  I replaced it, and tuned the piano (and later replaced it with a pair of custom strings).  </DIV> <DIV>  </DIV> <DIV> When I came back a few weeks ago, two strings broke while I was tuning.  One was next to the string that had broken previously, one was in the high treble.  It really shot my nerves, the combination of trying to set the pins stably without breaking further strings!  And I was wondering, why so many broken strings on what looked like a pretty new piano?</DIV> <DIV>  </DIV> <DIV> In the checking around I've done, the two most likely suggestions seem to be that either the piano underwent some abuse (kids or prior owners- it was bought in an auction?), or the hammers might need reshaping.  I was also encouraged not to be too timid in turning the pins til I can feel the bottom move, thinking that if a string breaks it's better to do it when I'm there.</DIV> <DIV>  </DIV> <DIV> Finally, I could note I'm closing in on 500 pianos tuned.  Not the most experienced person on this list, but not a total beginner either.</DIV> <DIV>  </DIV> <DIV> Thanks for any help on either of these issues.  Broken strings really raise my blood pressure!</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV> <HR color=#a0c6e5 SIZE=1> From: Andrew and Rebeca Anderson <anrebe@sbcglobal.net> Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> Subject: Re: tax question Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:26:58 -0600 >Ed >On schedule C you have a line for supplies, those kinds of items you >don't individually sell to customers. This is deducted from you >gross income at 100%. Now if you are selling specific items you do >that COGS in a different area. Your supplies fee is income, your >supplies expense offsets it. > >Your Advice May Vary ( I don't claim to be an certified expert, but >it does seem to fit the instructions) >Andrew > > >At 03:11 PM 2/27/2007, you wrote: >>Hello, >> >>How do you do your taxes in regard to the materials used when >>servicing pianos. >> >>For example, glues, tapes and paper puchings. Are these things >>deducted (in that they are operating expenses)? Or are they claimed >>as parts sold (for example, when you regulate a piano your client >>has essentially bought the punchings used to level the keys)? >>Deducted vs claimed.....hmmm? >> >>When I charge a client for a regulation (including pre-regualation >>repairs) I add a shop supplies fee, somewhere around $10-15. How do >>I account for this when filing my taxes? >> >>Thanks, >>Ed >> >>_________________________________________________________________ >>Win a Zune™—make MSN® your homepage for your chance to win! >>http://homepage.msn.com/zune?icid=hmetagline > > > > <HR color=#a0c6e5 SIZE=1> From: <pianolady50@peoplepc.com> Reply-To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech@ptg.org> Subject: P22 string breakage Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 22:17:55 -0500 <META content="Microsoft SafeHTML" name=Generator> <STYLE> </STYLE> <DIV>Paul said:</DIV> <DIV>On the string breakage note, yesterday I had A1 and A#1 break in a school band room piano...Yamaha P22, 1993 vintage.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Interesting...I have begun servicing the pianos at my local high school.  Included are two P22s.  Both had broken (and long since removed) A1 strings.  They had been gone for about 5 years :(</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Debbie</DIV> >_______________________________________________ >Pianotech list info https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives </BLOCKQUOTE></div> <hr> <a href="http://g.msn.com/8HMBENUS/2740??PS=47575" target="_top">Find a local pizza place, movie theater, and more….then map the best route!</a> </html>