How to Dismantle (take apart) and Throw Away an Upright Piano

[@dangibson5972]

I watched this video as I needed to deconstruct an old piano. My piano was an A. B. Chase upright built in 1909. This was actually a lot of work. Deconstruction became demolition. The video is a bit of an over simplification. It lacks some detail. For example, the wire removal- there were 255 pins to remove. Buy the special tool for use with a drill. This saved a lot of time. Removal of the cast iron plate is difficult. 28 screws, 3 bolts and 3 metal pins. I ended up buying a Milwaukee demolition screwdriver. The blade is 1/2” wide and the shank is square so you can use a wrench to break the screws loose. I needed this on about half the screws. I needed an 18” pipe wrench to remove the 3 pins. I initially thought I could salvage a lot of wood from this. Not going to happen. First, the wood is not high grade lumber. The frame was largely pinned together with wood dowels that were applied with some type of adhesive. The wooden parts were also secured together with the same adhesive. It was almost impossible to separate the wood parts. The wood splintered before the adhesive gave way. The bond between wood parts was incredible. I gave up on salvaging much of the wood. I will cut the rest up with a chain saw as it is too thick for any of my power tools. I did salvage the cast iron plate along with probably 30 pound of metal screws, bolts and the cast iron wheels, but not a lot of wood. I spent about 8 hours on this project and did the work by myself.

[@AndysReviewsandHowto]

Thank you for your comment and the information. I also spent a lot of time through trial and error taking the piano apart and finding the right tools. It wasn’t something I could finish in one day, as I realized during the process that I didn’t have all the necessary tools. I also needed a friend to help me lower the piano and remove the casting. However, I did show my viewers all the tools I used. I tried to highlight only the key parts, as KZbin viewers generally don’t like videos that are "too detailed." I’m glad you were able to do it! I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[@dangibson5972]

I didn’t mean to sound so critical. Your video was helpful. You did show the tools you used. For me, the most challenging part was the wood frame. Most of the screws were countersunk and covered with wooden plugs and then covered with laminate or more wood. I really thought I could salvage some good wood, but then I saw another video that indicated most of the upright pianos from this era, even the quality ones, were constructed using low quality lumber. It was an interesting project, but not one I want to repeat anytime soon. I appreciate your response. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well.

[@AndysReviewsandHowto]

Thanks, 🙏 take care 😊

[@LauraDoubekKraft]

Thanks! I needed this.

[@AndysReviewsandHowto]

I'm glad that you found my video useful! 😀

[@MrMayham]

exactly the video i needed! how long was the process?

[@AndysReviewsandHowto]

If you have everything with you and use electric tools, it will take approximately 3-4 hrs. (Depends on how fast your work but this is an estimate)

[@CharlesBundy-z9n]

@@MrMayham give yourself as much time as you need. One tip - as you undo tension on the wires alternate between left and right sides of harp. I prefer not cutting wires, just release tension with hand tool and pull them out of pins. Think of it like defusing a bomb as there is a lot of potential energy there (re: mass-spring). Second tip - bundle wires with duct tape as you pull them out. Otherwise you get a rats nest of sharp pointy daggers. Third tip - invest in a cheater bar (harbor freight icon 30”) and set of straight 1/2” screwdriver bits (again harbor freight Pittsburgh brand). Fourth tip - you can make a tuning tool by flipping a 1/4” extension and using a 1/4 hex straight into ratchet. Pins are 1/4” square drive. Also works well in a drill/driver. Hope this helps! EDIT: I’m on my second piano disassembly and so far I’ve done a few hours (2-3) over a couple of days (3 to 4) so total of 12hrs per piano. This includes hauling.

[@AndysReviewsandHowto]

Very good advice, thanks!

[@jamesyoakum8152]

What a waste of wood. Solid wood is very expensive now. Could have used it for a project or even turned that into a fancy desk

[@AndysReviewsandHowto]

If I have the time, space and skill, I would probably turn it into something else. However, my home is already very packed...

[@MrMayham]

those pianos are junk. need to pay $$$$$$$$$$ to get rid of it

[@AndysReviewsandHowto]

The only money that i spend are the tools that i need to disassemble the piano. I throw away most of the parts during my regular trash collection days. :) For the big metal part, need to contact local metal recycling company to get it.

[@CharlesBundy-z9n]

Honestly the pianos I’ve recycled are spruce and so old that the wood is dusty weak. There is a reason recycled wood is for decoration and not structural.

[@AndysReviewsandHowto]

@CharlesBundy-z9n I see. I didn’t recycle mine because I really don’t have the time to do it, and I don’t want the wood lying around taking up space.