Visit to local reed organ Museum

Very funny. Merely 20 km from my home, there is a decent harmonium museum in an abandoned church.
So I went for a visit, to have a look to similar organs.
I found out there are two sorts of reed organs. basically you have pressure and vacuum organs.
The oldest are of the vacuum type and are often called American organs. Mine is clearly of that type.
The pressure type organs have a totally different character. They're more powerfull
I took some pictures of simiral "American" type organs.

Canadian Vacuum type reed organ

American vacuum type organ manufactured by Estey. Neil Young owns an Estey, being a more luxuary type.

Overview of the "pressure" type side

Vacuum type reed organs

Volume valves and lever installed

Valves put in place. Side panels not glued yet

As the organ is constructed with natural materials, I found it appropriate to use natural tools too ;-) Side panels are drying

 

 

 

 

 

Side panel glued with wood glue. They were screwed which was not as designed originaly. So I omitted the screws

Side panels dryed

Valve lever positioned and checked for good operation

Lever mounted and fixed.

The unit before it could be mounted in the organ

Some guides needed to be fixed first before the unit can slide back into the organ

Update : Treble coupler restored

I had a lot of work restoring the couplers. From dusty, rusty peaces of wood and iron to shiny neat peaces of fine mechanic

Restored treble coupler. Hinge cotton strip replaced. Coupler levers more ore less sanded well. Guides provided with fresh red filt.

Put in place on the organ unit