<html> <body> List, <x-tab>        </x-tab>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? <x-tab>        </x-tab>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. <x-tab>        </x-tab>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: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>R.Cr= omwell 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</blockquote> <x-sigsep></x-sigsep> Greg Newell Greg's piano Forté <a href="mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net"= eudora="autourl">mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net</a></body> </html>