Piano Key Box...huh? #1: Disassembly of piano and idea

If it’s old piano the tops of the keys might be ivory and the sharps might be ebony.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Hmm, my dad did piano tuning a few years back. Well, actually quite a few years back. Anyway, he also did some minor repairing. Once we got to tour a pro’s shop. It is absolutely amazing what kind of damage can be recovered from. I suspect that the piano you’re ripping apart could have been completely restored with a little knowledge and elbow grease. Yes, that includes the cracked soundboard. When we toured the pro’s shop there was a major soundboard fix in progress. Of course, the cracked soundboard significantly increases the price and skill level, so I’ll forgive you. At least your repurposing the wood and other parts, not just scrapping it. Hope we see something good come of it all.

-- Waylan Limberg, Warren PA

I got an old player piano a few years back that had had the player mechanism removed many, many moons ago. It was a big heavy piece that sat around and collected dust in our living room. My son didn’t play this piano too much (this one made three that we have) so I was talking to him about what to do with it. He told me he wanted a shelf made from the key-board, so I disassembled the piano and built a shelf our of the keys and a shelf out of the top for my wife to discplay her grand-mothers momento’s. I still have several other pieces from that piano lying around my shop. When you take one apart, that is only when you realize just how much stuff goes into a piano. Good luck with the box.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

Hi Barry,

Nice post. I like to see re-use of materials. What you are doing is a lot of work but it sure beats sitting in front of the television all day. Keep us posted on your progress. You might want to post some pictures as well.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Just to let you know that I snatched this from the hands of a “tuner” who was going to “throw it on his burn pile.” Since I met him I’ve kept in touch. He keeps asking me if I want other pianos because I know he burned five or six recently. Yes, I suppose one could put a great deal of effort into refinishing/repairing/restoring…but the “tuner” I know is one of this area’s experts. I think restoration depends on the materials and on the piano brand. A higher quality piano with a brand name should be seriously considered for full restoration. But there were so many piano companies and not all instruments were created with the finest of materials. I’ve discovered that just in my dissection of this instrument…cheaper woods covered with more expensive veneers ON THE INSIDE! Meaning…and I don’t think I’m blowing this out of proportion…that the factory was hiding the poor quality of the instrument. I’m certain it played…and I’m certain many enjoyed it in it’s heyday…but I suspect that after 100 years of service it’s time to purchase something newer…something of better quality. The woman who gave up the piano to me was a bit teary eyed…and her husband was a successful businessman. I’ve often thought of saying to this woman to go buy this or that brand of grand piano knowing their quality as I do…(I sold pianos for awhile while learning the art of sales and I’ve played numerous concert instruments as a budding pianist through my first year of college.) I want to assume nothing, but I think from the house where I picked up this instrument…I should think the people could afford a nice…and I mean nice….grand piano. I was hoping this instrument was better made and of higher quality when I agreed to pick it up. It wasn’t. But there are parts and pieces that can be reassembled, reused, repurposed. Knowing what I know now about this instrument…the time I’ve taken to disassemble it…I know that I might refuse to pick it up upon examining it closer. Now that I’m committed on this instrument…to recycle some of it…I think I’ll do my best…but I know a great deal more about how factories hid poor quality materials…and how to tell if the effort would be worth it. In other words….everything about this has been a learning experience…learning about manufacturing…learning my equipment in my new shop. And isn’t that what we’re all here for? Why even today I got a question answered by reading past posts on this website….just by a search here. That alone makes Lumberjocks valuable for me. When I have nothing else to learn I’ll move onto another website or set of forums….if there is a better one? So far I think y’all have alot to teach me.

-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ http://thecreekviewwoodworker.blogspot.com

I am glad you saved it from the burn pile. I’d be interested in seeing some pictures.

-- Maplewood, MN

very interesting.
Our old piano has seen better days. We just put up with the negatives. Some day perhaps I’ll see about getting it fixed – or maybe I’ll find that it’s one of those cheap ones made to look expensive

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I’ve done this exact thing too Barry, and you are completely right, at the turn on the century there were over 100 different piano manufacturers in the U.S.

Remember before TV took over the American living room, the piano held the distinction.

Great news on harvesting some quality parts.

-- Dooley, North Palm Beach, Florida www.myspace.com/smokey4bandit20

Great post Barry. I was looking to get into the recycling of pianos at the time you first posted. I think what you are doing is a heroic and Herculean effort. Can’t wait to see what has come out of your hard work.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

This will take you to my effort at a piano key box (or two) Barry.

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business.