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Show HN: Recycled a piano into a work desk

mrsamberapple.com

11–20 of 36 posts

Re: Show HN: Recycled a piano into a work desk

#11

Really nice. If he wants to spend more time on this, additional hacks would be: - hook up the foot pedal to a KVM or some kind of software switch to switch desktops/environments - put some speakers behind the 2 grills if it isn't done already - make one or both of the grills openable and attach a power strip in them so the power wires can be hooked up hidden inside instead of outside - cut out the flat part of keyboa…

- Nice!

- If you look closely I have some speakers mounted to the underside of the front face. They are pointed down and reflect off of the surface of the desk (iMac style). I originally wanted to fit them inside the grills but space is surprisingly limited once you try to fit a speaker box in there.

- Thanks! Been interested in better ways to hide the wires.

- I imagine that could be very difficult to pull off. ;)

Re: Show HN: Recycled a piano into a work desk

#12
post #4

I think this looks AWESOME, but I wonder if there are ergonomic issues with the height of the monitor. It LOOKS like it would be a bit too high up.

Have to agree. I'd get a very sore neck after a few mins with a monitor that high up. Apart form that, top job.

Re: Show HN: Recycled a piano into a work desk

#18
post #17

Is there enough legroom? I tend to unconsciously wrap my feet around anything within reach while I'm working, and not being able to do that actually kind of impedes concentration.

Haha. No there's totally not as you see it in the pics. I removed the black panel at the base which gives 8 nice more inches and a foot rest on the lip. I find my feet playing with the spring mechanisms for the pedals while I code.

Re: Show HN: Recycled a piano into a work desk

#19

On a related note, the NY Times had an article this week about the rising number of pianos being dumped: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/arts/music/for-more-pianos...

yeah, I recently replaced my piano with an Williams Overture 88 ($500), midi out, headphones, weighted keys, sounds just like the real thing.

Re: Show HN: Recycled a piano into a work desk

#20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Saw the article on the front page! Thought about the business potential this morning. Trouble would be the cost of shipping, it's about 350lbs! edit: That is the stripped weight! It was originally ≈400lbs (guessing). Evidently most of the weight is in the metal frame.

If you remove the working parts, do they get much lighter? I don't know much about the internals of pianos.

The working parts, no. The iron frame, yes. But getting the frame out can be pretty rough.
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