[pianotech] Pumper Flap Valve Leather

[John Ross]

The originals, which will be replaced, have a  piece of wood attached to one 
end, and a piece of wire attached and bent to put pressure on the flap.
I have seen some with a coil spring attached to each corner.  Most, if not 
all of the 4 spring type had a tin section over the flap.
Good point about the stretch  being one way.
Thanks, as always to the list.
Sorry I won't be seeing any of you at the convention this year, but the Las 
Vegas venue for next year, sounds like another reason for a drive out.
John Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Nossaman" <rnossaman at cox.net>
To: <al at pebworths.com>; <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 1:47 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Pumper Flap Valve Leather


Al Pebworth wrote:
> Hi John,
>
> I recently restored a Mason & Hamlin Reed Organ, and installed new flap
> valve leather.  I got a big surprise!  Organ lost vacuum, I went on a
> 100 mile service call, found that all of the flap valves had expanded,
> about 1/4 inch in length, so would not seal.
>
> As the inside valves were also not sealing, I had to bring it back into
> the shop to fix.  Now I have lost a lot of profit!!  I did notice that
> this leather was a bit thicker than what I had used in the past.  I know
> that the flaps were tight when I put the in.  I'll put springs on them
> this time, or use a thinner leather with blued spring steel over it,
> like is found in a Seeburg Coin Piano, and some other players.
>
> Al

John, Al,
Leather, you likely already know, will stretch more in one
direction than in another. I've always cut organ flap valves
so the stretch is minimal along the length of the strip. The
valves will "cup" some across their width, but don't get
longer and go slack. Of course, now that I've said that...

Springs are very good cheap insurance too.
Ron N