[SML] Piano Storage

[Dave Tosti-Lane]

I designed one for a small space once using tube steel and thinner ply so
that it could easily fold up against the wall to reclaim space when the
theatre needed it. The idea was we'd prohibit storage on top because for
about every third show, we needed the depth of the theatre and couldn't
afford the big garage taking up space - we'd move the piano into a practice
room for the run. (yes, I know that "prohibiting storage on the top" is an
amusing concept, but I wasn't old and cynical yet)
Then, I went on vacation for a month, and the operations director hired a
local housing contractor to build it. I came back to find a monstrosity
made of 2x4, 2x6, and 3/4 ply - still with the hinges so it could fold up,
but rather than the split design I'd specified, the entire lid (2x6 and 3/4
ply "so it would be safe to put heavy stuff on top") being hinged to fold
up against the wall. Of course, the bloody thing weighed 300# or so, so
they then added a block and fall running to the back wall to lift it. Since
that needed clearance, it could only lift up to about a 60 degree angle and
hang there in the way of everything.
The cherry on top was that the internal 2x framing made it too small for
the new piano they eventually purchased for the space.
The plus side was that all that 3/4 ply was enough to build about 4 heavy
duty road boxes for cable and instruments, and they decided to just store
the piano in the rehearsal room from then on.
Dave Tosti-Lane

On Thu, Apr 23, 2015 at 7:30 AM, Joe Wilson via Stagecraft <
stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:

> Our piano cage is a plywood box (stud wall faced with ply) with a flat
> joist roof overlaid with ply, gate hinge doors and a padlock.  That
> might be too big for your needs, though.  Ours is build like a small
> shed, and sits in the wings offstage with enough space inside for our
> choral director to practice, and a window air-conditioner on the
> opposite side from the door for humidity control.
>
> Being Florida, we aren't terribly worried about too little humidty,
> only too much.  We have Dampp Chasers installed in all our classroom
> and rehearsal pianos, but they apparently now make an installed
> humidity control system for pianos that includes both a humidifier and
> dehumidifier, for those of you who live in more variable climates.
>
> www.pianolifesaver.com
>
>
> _________________________
> Joe Wilson, ATD/Sound
> Indian River State College
>
> Adding one more "me too" to the
> collective internet consciousness.
>
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