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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 13
Junior Member
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OP
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 13 |
Hi everyone!!
I work in a club where the piano (Kawai KG-2C) is on a concrete floor.
I've not really had any issues with movement other than the occasional "quiver" when I play a little too "passionately"
...that is, until the other night, when an apparently very drunk individual obviously thought the piano was a wall and leaned against it with all his weight while I was performing a song --what subsequently became a very MOVING song -lol.
SO, I wanted to see if anyone here had any suggestions on how this piano can be TEMPORARILY immobilized.
I work alone and do not have assistance to lift it for casters, and a rug would be out of the question decor-wise (plus there's not enough room to move it around for the rug's placement) --as well, the piano DOES need to moved during the course of the week.
What *I* thought of was perhaps some of that Mortite rope caulking wrapped around where each caster meets the floor, creating a caster cup-LIKE "lip" around each caster --which I think should adhere well to the concrete-- then removing at the end of the night. After all, I only need to keep it still, not necessarily brace it.
Thanks in advance for any input.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 32,060
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Wind some cord around the casters where they touch the floor. The cord used for traverse rods is the right size.
Semipro Tech
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Joined: Jan 2007
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500 Post Club Member
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500 Post Club Member
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caster cups with some sort of non-slippery bottom?
Inspiration is the act of pulling a chair up to the writing desk. Pramberger JP-185 (a 6'1" mahogany-red Grand)+ Glenn Gould-ish piano chair (no cushion)
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Joined: Sep 2008
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1000 Post Club Member
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1000 Post Club Member
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It might be cheaper and easier to immobilize that drunkard!
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 13
Junior Member
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 13 |
caster cups with some sort of non-slippery bottom? As I mentioned, I don't have assitance to lift the piano, so placing anything under the casters is out of the question. Sorry, BDB, what are "traverse rods"?
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Joined: Jun 2003
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Curtain rods. Go to the hardware store and ask for traverse rod cord, and they will know what it is.
Semipro Tech
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 44
Full Member
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Full Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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I think the caster cups is the best way. It is not a permanent change and it will look asthetically pleasing too. This way, you can forget about ropes, wires, rods, or any of those band-aid fixes.
You mentioned that you don't have any assistance, and I would suggest that you get temp help with the caster cups. There has got to be a body or two in this club that is willign to help you. As a last resort, you can always lift up the piano yourself and use your legs to push the caster cups under the wheels (not recommended!).
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 527
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I take it the piano is on wheels? If so the answer is castor cups good quality and close fitting.There should be no movement at all. In relation to lifting the piano two men can do the job,one to lift slightly and the other to slide the cups under the castors. The slider can kneel under the piano and help the lift with his back!
Failing this get a car jack and rig a system [probably Heath Robinsonesque] of timbers and jack up each leg in turn about 30mm and slide in the cups.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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The cord works fine, but if you want to be extra certain, make sure that each of the casters point in different directions. Caster cups are not what you want.
Semipro Tech
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Joined: Jan 2006
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You can also carry three rubber wedges, (the kind we tuners use to mute strings), and jam them in between the wheels and the bracket they are connected to.
Piano Technician/Tuner
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Joined: Oct 2008
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OP
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Caster cups are not what you want. Thank you, BDB!!!
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Oh, my goodness! I laugh every time I think of your comment on how your experience "...became a very moving song..."
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Joined: Mar 2009
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I think Grozilla glue works well too or Liquid Nail too. DP
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Sometimes the simplest solution is the best.
All you have to do is put wheels on the stool.
Then you just have to solve the much easier problem of finding a way to attach the stool to the piano, so that when the piano moves the stool stays in the same place in relation to it. Something involving Velcro and a staplegun would probably work well.
Brodmann BU 125 upright 1880 Blüthner 7'2" grand
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 13
Junior Member
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 13 |
Great idea!! --in fact, we can also attach the PATRONS sitting AT the piano (bar) as well and we can actually market it as a Six Flags ride!!
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Joined: Jan 2006
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I gave you a simple, easy solution to which you did not respond. Please don't ask for help if you can't at least acknowledge people's efforts to assist you.
Piano Technician/Tuner
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Joined: Oct 2008
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OP
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Sorry --didn't know I was required to.
My apologies if you were offended but I am trying anything and everything right now with what very little time I have --and MY THINKING WAS that when I found something that finally worked, I would then mention it on here.
Also, I only "see" that piano on the weekends as it located quite far from where I live.
Unfortunately, the wedges you referred to are not readily available at places like Home Depot and the like --so BEING AS I AM NOT A TUNER (and highly doubt mine will lend me his), it will take me a bit of time to find them (or order them online, which I was trying to avoid given the time) --until then, i am "improvising" with what IS readily available.
In any event, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUGGESTION!!!
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Joined: Dec 2005
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4000 Post Club Member
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Or your could "chock" the wheels with rubber doorstops (the wedge shaped ones). Those should be available at Home Depot etc.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 13
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OP
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Posts: 13 |
As it turns out, Dennis, that's EXACTLY what I did --I'm hoping it'll work
I also got some wooden shims to try as well.
I'm going to also try my original idea of the Mortite around the casters.
I'll know what'll work tomorrow when I see the piano again.
I wonder if wrapping duct-tape around the casters will work?
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Joined: Sep 2008
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8000 Post Club Member
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Wasn't there a Victor Borge skit that involved the piano being rolled around?
Close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and nuclear weapons.
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