Instructions on moving a piano yourself?

[andric]

Does anybody know where to find instructions for moving a 6' grand?  Of course all the sites I could find say "hire a professional", but money is tight and the move would be really expensive.

Specifically, I'm wondering about tricks for getting the piano on its side (I have seen some "professionals" huff and puff, while others do it easily). 

And don't they secure the dampers or the action when moving a piano?

Anyway, thanks for reading and if you have any suggestions I'd be really happy.

[iumonito]

Sorry, I don't know how.  I am curious to see what responses you get. 

What piano are we talking about?  Naturally, if the piano is worth more than the price of the move, you really should not do this yourself.

First, you need the right equipment (the right dolly, the pads, the straps, the mallot), then you need the know-how (how to take the action out and put it back in right, how to secure the dampers, how to remove the legs and lyre with the pedals, how to tilt the piano unto the dolly, how to set the legs and lyre with pedals back up).  Moving the piano yourself sounds more dangerous than tuning it or voicing it yourself (which perhaps you do).

I would tend to think we are talking around $300 or less.  Is your piano worth more than that?  You may be better off selling it!

[Brian Lawson, RPT]

1) Don't

2) call experienced professional movers

3) see 1)

[Michele Felice]

If you don't have any respect for the piano, or the buildings you will be moving in and out of, you should at least respect yourself and the people who will be helping you move it.

Six foot pianos weigh a good 600 lbs. They are fragile. A broken leg, pedal lyre or simple finish damage can easily run into much more money than a couple hundred for moving. Doors, stairways, vehicles and other items which will or will likely be in contact with the piano can also be damaged and will be costly to repair. Human backs. arms and legs are also fragile and expensive to fix.

Your best bet is to find more than one competent piano mover and get the lowest bid. If you plead hardship, you might find a good mover who will do the job very reasonably.
 

[jr11]

I have moved my grand more than once. You'll need a piano skid, a dolly, straps, blankets, a truck, and at least a couple helpers. You will also need to provide refreshments for your helpers! Do not be in a hurry... I have seen the results of a grand piano sliding down a set of stairs uncontrollably and striking a wall. No more piano or damage deposit. Beware also of putting scratches in the legs, lyre, and bench. Make sure the front corner that you drop the piano onto after removing the first front leg is well padded.

So it can be done, and if all goes well, you might save a few bucks after rental costs. If all does not go well, it may be a nightmare costing thousands.

Actually, Brian Lawson's comments (above) are pretty darn good advice. Assuming you heed it, ask about the mover's experience and insurance. I know in the city I'm in (of 1.7 million) there are only a handful of movers to be trusted.

[andric]

The move would actually be quite expensive as it is a long drive to a remote area, and we would have to pay the moving crew for driving time.  I just used some movers to bring my Boston into the family house (now we need to remove my father's Chickering), and the movers didn't have magical powers or special abilities-- they had a few tricks for getting the job done without hurting themselves (barely).  Unfortunately I didn't pay close enough attention to what they did.
     We're fairly competent-- the Chickering is going to a new house that my father built frame-to-finish.  Some of his building crew is going to help move the piano on the receiving end, and fortunately there are no stairs to climb.

Michael Felice,
this is what I'm imagining.  Maybe you could fill in anything I've missed?
1 remove the lid

2 remove the lyre (do you have to do something to the dampers? seems like they were somehow locked open last move)

2 1/2 put a blanket under the piano (to wrap it once it's on its side)

3 remove the front leg on the left side (to your left if you are at the keyboard) while someone supports the weight.

4 lower the (padded) corner to the ground as someone keeps the weight off the back leg, and continue this movement to get the piano onto its side.

5 wrap the piano in packing blankets, tilting the piano to get the blankets underneath. tape it.

6 work the piano onto the skid.  strap it.


The scary part seems to be getting the thing onto its side.

I'm also unsure about the dampers/action.  Is there something that keeps the hammers from flopping around?

Getting the thing off its side and onto its legs at the end seems tricky as well.  I guess you do the same thing in reverse?  (put on 2 legs and tip it up).

Again, thanks for taking the time to read this and for your suggestions.  If anybody knows of information resources about this, that'd be great.

[Brian Lawson, RPT]

As you seem so determined, type "piano movers" into google images, and look at the pics most relevant.

[iumonito]

Your question about the hammers belies precisely what everybody is telling you.

You have to take the action out.  You do not put the piano on its side with the action in it.

I don't mean to come across as condecending, not at all.  I think you are going to kill this piano on this move.

Plus, if I got this correctly and you have a 6 foot Chickering, that is a nice piano.  If you put it for sale, people will buy.  Post your question to the Chickering 123 thread.  You will get interest.

It would be a crime to put it on a u-haul truck and bang it around.

[andric]

Take the action out?  I've used 3 different movers in 3 years, and not one of them has removed the action of my Boston.  Are you sure?

[iumonito]

 

Some movers!  Think of it yourself.  Why would you put the action tipped over on its side and then bang it a little while you are at it?  I am not a piano mover, so let the flames consume me.  If somebody attempted to move my piano without taking the action out first I would very likely have a heart attack on the spot.

[Brian Lawson, RPT]

There is no need to remove an action when moving, one can tie the hammers down, as is done when pianos are shipped from the manufacturer.

SO iumonito was your action sent seperately before you bought your piano?

[iumonito]

Separate bag, same trip, as far as I know.  My wife actually was the one there, so I did not see the process (which I am sure would have been very traumatic).  Keith, you there?

[Brian Lawson, RPT]

whoops ! 







 

ho hum! 

[Newbie player]

When the wifey's Estonia 190 was delivered last week there was no action removed or hammers tied down......
Is this cause for concern ?     

[iumonito]

Nope, just action adjustment.  If you get no sound when you hit a key, or a "tock" with no string vibration, I would say that would be, but if all sounds the greatest problem you may have is your una corda hit the wrong string or some other similar nuissance.