REPAIR OF A ROLLER ORGAN      PART 7

Earlier we wrote about an Autophone Concert Roller Organ we received for evaluation and repair.  When it came to us, this is what we saw.

After rebuilding the pumps and reservoir, repairing the case, making the missing parts for the case, cleaning the reeds, making a new base and finally recovering and adjusting the valves, we have declared the job a success.    The valve adjustment took way longer than anticipated, because the adjustment is done by bending the tabs that contact the roller pins.   I assume in the factory they had gauges and fixtures to help with this.   Anyway, this is what we now have.

                                       REPAIR OF A ROLLER ORGAN             PART 6


We were sent an Autophone Concert Roller Organ for evaluation and repair.

As the assembly progressed, we finally reached the point where we inserted a song and tried it.

It seems that the tangs on the end of the valves that are tripped when the song plays, are very fussy about being properly located.

The adjustments are made by bending the tangs.   When you bend them, it is easy to throw the valve faces out of good closure, so this turns out to be a fussy job.   Not only must they project the correct amount, but they must be vertically aligned to get the notes timed right.

Basically the ends must be correctly positioned both vertically and horizontally and at the same time, the valve face must meet the seat exactly.

                                                 REPAIR OF A ROLLER ORGAN - PART 5


We were sent an Autophone Concert Roller Organ for evaluation and repair.

All of the parts are coming together now and the base is on the case, the organettes action is dry fit and we are ready for fine tuning.

As expected, there were adjustments to get the valves to close tight and the return to start needs more work.   With any job of major repairs such as this, there are always questions about how far to go in replacing original parts.   We only replace where absolutely necessary for functionality.   In this case, the sides of the case were retained , even though their condition limits the finish we can achieve and the organettes shellacked wood was retained in spite of some unrepairable blemishes.

All the moving parts are lubricated and after some fine tuning, we will be ready to try making the covers.

This unit is looking pretty good now, but of course it will never be "like new".

                                                            REPAIR OF A ROLLER ORGAN
                                                                                      Part 4


We were sent an Autophone Concert Roller Organ for evaluation and repair.   With the pump and reservoir rebuilt, the valves were recovered and the mechanism readjusted to overcome some of the damage done during storage.   Hopefully, the core of the unit is now ready to be installed into the case.

More gluing of the veneer and bottom parts were required, as defects were found.

Then the job of making a base was tackled.    Once this is done we will be ready for the final assembly.

                                                  REPAIR OF A ROLLER ORGAN
                                                                         Part 3


We were sent an Autophone Concert Roller Organ for evaluation and repair.   After the pump and reservoir were under control, we turned our attention to the case.

A lot of loose veneer was reglued.   Then missing corner braces were installed and the missing front lower brace and related trim were made and glued in place.

The lower base and top covers were missing, so we got the material for them and cut it to size.  We are ready for the next step.

                                                                  Repair of a Roller Organ
                                                                                   Part 2

We were sent an Autophone Concert Roller Organ for evaluation and possible repair.   After the owner decided to go ahead, we pulled the pump/reservoir assembly and found a lot of mouse damage.

After separating the two pumps, the repair started.

The first half pump was easy.   Cut out the damaged wood.

Then glue in a patch.

Trim the patch and this half pump is ready.

                                              

                                              REPAIR OF A ROLLER ORGAN PART 1


We were sent an Autophone Concert Roller Organ for evaluation and possible repair.   One look and you can probably conclude that it is a basket case, not worth the cost of repair.

We cleaned it just enough to determine what the issues were, then advised the owner what a repair would cost, with the comment that it was no economically advisable.

As is the case in several repairs we have made, this was a family piece from several generations back and economics was not the main driving force.

We agreed on a price and are starting the work to return it to as near original condition as is practical.  With a lot of work, our goal is to get it looking about like this.

And having it play of cours.