this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2023
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Piano And Keyboards

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moving piano on caster cups? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 10 months ago by Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works to c/piano@lemmy.world
13 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Is it reasonably possible for one person to remove caster cups, roll a wheeled baby grand a few feet out of the way on a hardwood floor, and then roll back and replace caster cups?

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[–] tenacious_mucus@sh.itjust.works 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Technically yes, if you can lift each corner of the piano high enough AND kick the cup out all by yourself. Lift with your legs, not your back!

The real challenge would be reversing this operation- lift and sliding cup back in place with a foot. I worked for a piano shop long ago and this was basically the same method we would use even to completely remove legs to tilt them up onto the sleds to put on trucks. I think we could do it with just 2 people. Also make sure the castors wont damage the floor…pianos aint light, and those metal castors arent forgiving!

[–] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Thank you. Yes, how do I lift it back up to replace cups without it just sliding away? How does one make sure the casters won't damage the floor?

[–] tenacious_mucus@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago

Oh, right, didnt think about it trying to roll when replacing the cups. Maybe try a make-shift wheel chock with some towels or wood wedge, really anything you could jam under the other wheels.

Are you sure the wheels will even damage the floor? Is this a stage, like normal black stage deck? If so, you’ll be fine. If not, and the hardwood is like a really nice finish or dents/scratches easily then there’s likely to be a risk. How was the piano brought in?

I didnt think to ask if the castors were plastic or metal? If they are plastic, you’ll be good. I was thinking about the wide metal castors ive seen a lot. If they are metal, unfortunately i dont have any perfect answers- you’ll have to get creative, i guess. Cardboard, scrap carpet pieces, basically anything to buffer under the castor. But nothing you’d want to reuse ‘cause the castors might damage your makeshift padding.

[–] bluGill@kbin.social 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

The casters on most grand pianos are not sufficient to move them .best is 3-4 strong 'guys' who lift the piano and carry it 'you don't need to get all the weight off the wheels, just most. And of course those 3 'guys' lift each leg enough to get the cups out.

Strong girls can do this job, but I've never seen any try.

[–] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Seriously? The wheels are just decorative?

[–] bluGill@kbin.social 2 points 10 months ago

Pretty much. On a cement floor they would work ,but they are too small for carpet. Even wood floors often are too soft and they dig in. If they work great, but if anything goes wrong your first clue is the legs breaking off at the piano.

[–] ForestOrca@kbin.social 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)
  1. Is the floor flat and level?
  2. How will you remove/ replace the caster cups? I'm thinking levers.
  3. How strong is this socalled 'one person? Deadlift 300#s, no problem. Injures self lifting a jug of milk, umm may be an issue.

I'm thinking perhaps, and be careful. Injuring that one person might be unpleasant for them.

[–] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)
  1. Yes
  2. Sorry, I don't even know what levelers are? Was just going to push or kick them in and out.
  3. Deadlifts 100#s
[–] ForestOrca@kbin.social 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

Levers - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lever

Not Levelers - https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Leveling-Blocks/Camco/CAM44521.html

Nor Levolors - https://www.levolor.com/

If you can lift one 'end' of it enough to kick that caster cup out without injuring yourself, then I think you're good to go. Of course you'll have to do it about 6 times. After all this I think a picture of your successful completion would be awesome!!

[–] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Sure will either post that or my hospital bill. 😅

[–] ForestOrca@kbin.social 1 points 10 months ago

That's the spirit!!

[–] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

So I'm struggling to lift it enough to get caster out. Thoughts about these jacks: Jack Board Lifter (2PCS) (Orange & Silver) https://a.co/d/evZigYk ? I could put felt under the base to avoid that digging into the hardwood perhaps?

[–] ForestOrca@kbin.social 1 points 10 months ago

That's the sort of leverage I was thinking of! Make sure to not scratch the finish on the piano,i.e. place some rubber or cloth between the jack and the piano. You got this! Just need the right tools.