Upright Piano Morphs into Work Table

My Upright Piano Workbench

 

     A couple of years ago, I got an old upright piano free for the hauling.  With the help of some able-bodied friends, we got it moved into our dining room, and the renovation work began.  I soon realized that years of temperature changes and moisture had pushed this piano beyond the possibility of a decent renovation.  I chalked it up as a failure, and moved the piano onto the porch, a step closer to its final proper resting place in a landfill.

     Three or four years later, it was still on the porch, when inspiration struck.  It still had a good solid frame, and we could use a solid work table on the porch for gardening and craft projects.  So began the upright piano work table project.

Outer Casework and Piano Action Removed

Keys Removed showing Balance Rail and Key Bed

  Let the Construction Begin

Key Bed and Balance Rail Removed

     Removing the innards was relatively easy.  The piano action, the mechanism with all the hammers, flanges and wooden levers, is held with four nuts.  The outer casework is removed by removing the screws that hold them in place.  The keys simply rest on the pins shown in the key bed, and the key bed and balance rail are removed by loosening  about 12 screws.  This then reveals a flat surface at desk height to support whatever surface you choose for the top of your table, desk or workbench.  For the tabletop and the backboard, I used an old discarded computer desk that was in my barn warehouse.  For some of the shelving I used parts of the piano casework.

     As I didn't remove the cast iron harp and strings in the back, whenever you hit the table very hard, the strings vibrate some, and you can hear the distant sound of an angel choir.  If you don't care for angel music, you could mute out the strings with felt or cloth, but I don't recommend trying to remove the harp and strings.  That would change a simple home project into a major headache.

      The Sky's the Limit

     So let your imagination run wild and start work on that old upright that's been out in the granary for he last 10 years hosting several generations of rodents.  Be creative with those old piano parts you remove.  That balance rail with 88 pins must be useful in some kind of weaving project.  How about a clamp to hold down your work operated by foot with the soft pedal?  Or my favorite and possible future project, a combination work table and upright hammered dulcimer.

The Rest of the Farm

    I just walked outside to close up the chicken coop, and saw by the moon it's about time to get the peas in the ground.  That also means that next week is time to plant potato and other root crops outside.  The eggs that Miss Wohlters is setting on should be hatching in the next 3 or 4 days.  Lots going on and I'll be giving a full report in a week or 10 days. 

Super Pooper Scooper

     For now, I'll close with the following picture of my latest splurge in equipment purchases.   $14 for a picker-upper so I don't have to lean over, and my basket-tied-to-a-handtruck so I don't have to walk far to drop the load.  It's been working wonderfully well on spring dog poop removal.  Money isn't everything, but $14 just made my life a whole lot better.



 

Dirt, Llama Poop, a Stern Hen and Footprints in the Snow

 

     I've used the last couple of weeks to get started on outside spring work.  I've done about half the spring tilling, and two weeks ago, in the full moon, I planted some root crops in the low tunnel (the exposed hoops in the back of the picture).    I'm hoping for some early carrots, onions, radishes and new red potatoes.  The plastic covered frame in the front protects the early lettuce, spinach and arugula I planted Saturday.  Both these covers are easily removed on warm days.  More root crops and salads will be planted later, when the weather is more favorable.

 

CENTRAL GARDEN- Cold frame in the front, low tunnel in the back



Low tunnel with cover

EAST GARDEN

     The east garden has been tilled and the strawberries in the closest 4 feet have been uncovered.  Weather permitting, in one or two weeks I'll be planting peas here.  The squash, beans, corn, sunflowers and whatever else will have to wait for warmer conditions.







SOUTH GARDEN

     So far only the chickens have been working on the South garden.  As this will be the tomato and pepper patch this year, there's plenty of time to prepare.  Can't talk about no frost danger until the first week in June.

NEW WEST GARDEN AREA

WEST GARDEN WITH LLAMA POOP APPLIED

     Many thanks to my friend Jerry B for about a cubic yard of llama poop that I put down on this 14 foot by 20 foot section just west of the West chicken yard.  This will be the tomato and pepper patch for next year, 2016.  This summer a fence will be going up around this section, and next summer the tomatoes will be coming in like manna from heaven!

 

OUR HENS ARE KEEPING US WELL SUPPLIED

 

EXCEPT FOR MISS WOHLTERS

     Miss Wohlters is watching over 10 potential baby chicks, due to come in another 10 days or so.  Miss Wohlters was named after my 5th grade teacher, stern and strict, but very caring of her brood.

MARCH 18, 2015

MARCH 19, 2015

APRIL 8, 2015

     We won't get too excited about spring planting.  Pictured above is what can happen after a stretch of warm weather here in the spring.  Last year, we had snow on June 6.  Just remember, if you're in Minnesota and don't like the weather, wait 'til tomorrow and it will change.