Convert chest piano to desk

You stumped the band

Ellis Walentine

Steve,

I admit that I have no idea what a chest piano is. My first thought was some kind of accordion, but those don't have harps or soundboards. Please tell us more. Pics or sketches would help....

Ellis

Re: You stumped the band

John K Jordan

Same here. I know of several types, the antique square grand, three types of upright pianos (spinet, console, studio) and grand pianos in various lengths. Never heard of a chest piano.

I've had several uprights and currently a concert grand. If converting to a desk, I suspect you mean one of the types of uprights. (Cutting a square grand apart might be a crime against history!)

I took an older upright apart once and have partially disassembled an upright player piano to rebuild it. Many of the blocks and supports and other pieces on older were held in place with large wood screws, a few bolts, some glue. Some pieces held with hide glue can be removed with heat - I used an iron on thin pieces. Perhaps thick pieces glued could but cut thin with a sawzall then heated with an iron. If this is a newer, cheap piano I wouldn't be surprised if they used modern wood glues in places, requiring cutting tools.

I agree, pictures would be a help, showing what you want to remove.

JKJ

Here's a picture.... *LINK*

Steve jenkins

Maybe wrong name. Here's a picture...


http://www.woodcentral.com/mpix/jenkins-piano1.jpg

Re: You stumped the band

George Koch

I believe your speaking of a "spinet piano" I've got an antique spinet desk, so named because it is in the form of a spinet piano.

Re: You stumped the band

Steve jenkins

I hope to have a pic soon. The piano is rectangular with a flat top.

Re: You stumped the band

Steve jenkins

It’s about 3’ x 7’

Re: You stumped the band

Bruce, a MN Galoot

If it is like this, it’s called an upright piano.

square grand

John K Jordan

Yes, that's a square grand piano without the legs.

You should be able to find lots of info on the web. 30 seconds with google found this:

"My dad converts square grand pianos into executive desks as a side job."

https://imgur.com/gallery/a79J6

Re: square grand

Steve jenkins

Thanks for the link and the proper name.

Is the "arch" above the opening coming out?

Jim Matthews

My guess is that there will be some screws underneath and lots of hide glue holding things together. I would wrap the works in a plastic drop cloth and run an electric humidifier for a day to soften things up, first.

You'll be refinishing this, when it's all said and done.

****

I didn't know these existed.

Re: Is the "arch" above the opening coming out?

Steve jenkins

Yes it’s coming out. No humidifier so going to try another way. Thanks

Re: Is the "arch" above the opening coming out?

John K Jordan

>>>I didn't know these existed.

Some info:

https://antiquepianoshop.com/square-grand-pianos/

Check out the prices. Less than a concert grand:

https://antiquepianoshop.com/product-category/square-grand/

JKJ

Re: Convert chest piano to desk

Kevin Hancock

I’ve done 3 piano conversions. 2 uprights and a baby grand. I have not done a square grand. The old square grands date back before 1890. They were/are beautiful old pianos but many folks might argue that they are not very good musical instruments. There are design reasons for their shortcomings. I do think they would make for unique conversion/repurposing projects. Many of they have fantastic wood, usually rosewood so they make for beautiful pieces. If you are looking for conversion ideas, my 3 projects are on my website, at www.hancockrestorations.com.

Kevin

Re: Convert chest piano to desk

Steve jenkins

Thanks Kevin. Nice work