Do No Harm: Case Parts Edition

The “Do No Harm” concept is a fundamental principle of piano technology. Adopting practices that set you up for safe piano maintenance will go a long way towards a productive and successful career. Here are some top Do No Harm practices for protecting case parts that should become habits in your day-to-day life.

Know where it’s gonna go.

Before you begin removing a case part, make sure you have a final destination in mind. It’s a good idea to verify the location with your client before placing a part on a rug or against a table. Group pieces together, away from walkways with foot traffic.

Move case parts vertically.

Once you remove a case part, step one foot back from the piano and flip the part so that it is vertical - not horizontal.

Holding case parts vertically allows you to observe the whole part while you move and allows for tighter maneuvering in small or crowded spaces. And remember - move slowly!

Think through your apparel.

Beware of zippers, metal buttons, belt buckles, watches, or other jewelry items that could potentially scratch a case part.

Set your tools on a cloth or a moving blanket.

Designating your tool space makes you a tidier technician. Use a cloth, moving blanket, tool tray, or another protective item to prevent your tools from scratching a part - especially if you're working on a piano with a satin finish.

The new Pianosmiths Technician's Runner from Pianosmiths is perfect for this. They currently offer the 2mm leather runner in two sizes.

Bring a lid prop for vertical lids.

Using a lid prop prevents damage to the wall or artwork that may be behind the piano. Check to ensure there is enough clearance between the wall and the piano before lifting a vertical lid - if the piano is too close, the lid could gouge the wall when you raise it. Schaff sells an affordable, sturdy lid prop lined in protective cloth (product #212).

Observe grand lid hinge pins are in place before lifting the lid.

Check every single time - even if you service the piano often. Starting a habit of verification will eliminate a catastrophe the one time you don’t check. You should also verify the prop support is secure before resting the lid on the prop. Sometimes the screws or pin are loose and should be tightened before supporting the lid's weight.

This pin was hanging on by a thread and had likely been like that for some time because the hinge was loose and the rim had been damaged. Correcting an issue like this takes only a few minutes and prevents catastrophe later!

Protect the small pieces.

Keep a hand under any screws or bolts you need to remove so they don’t drop into the piano or onto the floor. A dropped screw in a piano costs you time, and dropped screw on a floor could leave a mark.

Bench Safety

Always pick up benches to re-position. Do not drag. Tightening screws and bolts periodically prevents damage from improper wear.

Let us know your favorite “do no harm” habit in the comments below!