How would you cut apart a piano?

[linear]

If you can get it to the local college music department, charge the students a buck a whack--may as well make a profit on it.

[gwyneth]

Once you decide to tear into the piano, I would think that a Fein Multimaster would be my tool of choice to cut into it without totally destroying it. There is a website that details how to remove various components of a piano and finally how to dismantle or destroy it. And yes, two of the tools that they use in the final operation is a sledge hammer and a chain saw.

http://www.balaams-ass.com/piano/17-destr.htm

Wow, that shows there's practical info on the internet about almost anything.

If there is a local piano person who'll look at it, maybe you can arrange for him to dismantle the dangerous parts in return for them, leaving you the wood.

Also, if the piano is reasonably old, it probably uses a fair amount of hide glue, and one of those small household steamers is a great way to soften it enough to separate what it's holding together.

[Red88chevy]

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions and cautions. The most interesting suggestion was using dynamite on it! Yes that would make a great video! I thought about the wires but didn't realize how much tension they were under, will definitely loosen them before I do anything. The owners of the piano are going to have a piano tuner look at it before we tear it apart, so should be able to find out if there is any outside chance of it being repaired or value to a piano shop. Right now only about half the keys will come back up after being struck. The piano was made by the Richmond Piano Co, Richmond Ind., but I can't tell if it is 30 yrs or 90 yrs old as the outside is so weathered. Great website about dismantling a piano, nice to read about it from someone who has actually done it, expect I will have to do that in a few days. Should end up with 88 felt covered wooden hammers if anyone can think of a good use for them?

[linear]

I bet you'll find that much of it is veneered.

[Red88chevy]

Linear you are right. I can already tell from chipped areas around the base it has a walnut veneer over some light colored wood that looks like Ash or Poplar.

[linear]

The sound board is the one piece you can be assured is not plywood (only true on older pianos--all bets are off with the new stuff). That should be a piece of pretty straight grained spruce. But there will be reinforcing ribs and I don't know how feasible getting those off will be.

[Scottydont]

If I were redneck, I would...

1) Get two friends and a half a case of beer.
2) Load it into the back of my truck.
3) Drive down an unoccupied road at 70mph while buddy #2 gives it a gentle push out the back.
4) Have buddy #3 video taping the whole event.
5) Reclaim the usuable wood a scrap the rest.
6) Watch the video while drinking the beer and laugh my a$$ off.
7) If it went well, post the video on Youtube for fun.
8) If it it went bad, send the video to Americas Funniest Home Videos and win 10K.

[gwyneth]

You forgot possible step 6: piano gets shoved in the path of oncoming state trooper's car; by the time charges are filed, bail is paid, attorney's fees are paid, time off work to attend court mounts up, you will never want to see a piano again.

[TheRic]

Well heck if your going to throw it off the back of a pickup truck to break it up. Then get Ken and Ken to load it up in the back of their truck!!