Moving a piano into a basement

R D S presented the following explanation :

Lay planks or similar down, firmly fixed so they cannot move. Then buy a good length of rope. Lash one end of rope around said object so it cannot slip off. Your next trick is to find something sufficiently strong at the top, to take the weight during the descent - length of 3 x 3 across a door opening or window opening, tree outside, or similar. If it is a long distance away use a second rope to form a loop around the object too pass the first rope through loose end of rope one goes down in the basement with heavy person attached o slow the descent, whilst 'a n other' gently guides it from above.

Good luck should you need to get it back up the stairs lol

Grytpype-Thynne: All in good time, laddy. Now first, will you sign this contract, in which you guarantee to move the piano from one room to another for five pounds.

Seagoon: Of course I'll sign. Have you any ink?

Grytpype-Thynne: Here's a fresh bottle.

In message , R D S writes

That's how it's normally done

not too difficult if otched down step by step

if you want to slide it on runners, get some decent rope and probably something to protect your equipment from the rope

Get the local morris dance side around and promise them free beer

Some manner of winch?

See demo here:

Don't worry, it's never coming back up, not in one piece anyway.

Have you considered using a specialist firm of piano movers? Not only would they have the necessary expertise, but in the unlikely event of something going wrong, they would be insured.

is it just a question of weight etc or are you uncertain whether it can actually be fitten down the staiors? Why not make a lightweight copy to check how to get it down there.

"Hello, I'd like you to move a large heavy object into my Cellar"

"Is it a Piano?"

"Err, no"

Brrrrrrrr

MBQ

Don't be daft. People don't tend to turn down work that falls within their area of expertise, even if the object is not precisely a piano.

Merely weight.

I am about 17.5 stone and I can get it to slide stightly on the floor if I lunge all my weight at it.

Yes I have contacted 2.

One is coming to look at it last Tuesday, he is a little late, I have left messages.

The other is going to ring me back some time last week.

Would it be terribly impolite to ask what it is, if it isn't a piano?

Matt

It's a lens polishing machine.

Could it be partly disassembled?

Are you an optician or an astronomer?

Presumably they are insured for shifting pianos. Are they covered for other stuff? Would a reputable company do a job knowing they are not covered?

MBQ

Optician.

It could be made approx 20% lighter I reckon by removing a load of the mechanics, I don't know if that would make it *much* easier to move though.

It's from when machines were made properly, I would only ever need to replace it for aesthetics.