Though this will make the "traditionalists" squirm, I can not but help believe that SOME modern material would be better for bellows flap valves ( like nylon webbing with an air-tight facing? ) for this very reason. And also for longevity and uniformity...... Euphonious Thumpe --- On Thu, 6/4/09, John Ross <jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca> wrote: > From: John Ross <jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca> > Subject: Re: [pianotech] Pumper Flap Valve Leather > To: pianotech at ptg.org > Date: Thursday, June 4, 2009, 1:21 PM > 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 > >
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