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SteveS

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Posts posted by SteveS

    Ethyl alcohol and French polishing

    in Instrument Construction & Repair

    Posted · Edited by SteveS

    I think that the water content, since it doesn't evaporate as readily as alcohol, remains in the shellac for some time after application, resulting in the shellac remaining soft and tacky.  I guess this then necessitates the use of a lubricant at the polishing stage.  

     

    And yes, I'll ensure my containers are tightly closed ;)

    Ethyl alcohol and French polishing

    in Instrument Construction & Repair

    Posted · Edited by SteveS

    Hi Geoff

     

    I found the 90° variety in hardware shops here didn't dissolve the shellac too well - it's mostly used for cleaning, and maybe there are other additives.  It's also coloured red.

     

    I bought my 99.9° ethyl alcohol at Amazon Italia, and it's specifically for French polishing.  However, I think a 5-litre container of ethyl alcohol will last me an awfully long time :)

     

    Ethyl alcohol and French polishing

    in Instrument Construction & Repair

    Posted

    For French polishing, I have previously used methylated spirit as my shellac solvent.  Here in Italy, the nearest substitute doesn't contain enough alcohol to dissolve shellac.  I had to look for an alternative. 

     

    I found a supply of denatured ethyl alcohol (99.9 degrees) and its use in French polishing is far better than using meths.  I found that the application of the shellac with the rubber is far smoother, the alcohol evaporates quicker, the tacky phase of the applied shellac is shorter, and the surface hardens quicker than with meths.  I've even not had to resort to applying a lubricant during the polishing phase.

     

    Also being clear, with ethyl alcohol there's no risk of a purple colour being imparted to light shellac finishes.

     

    What has been your experience of using ethyl alcohol?

     

    Valve punches

    in Instrument Construction & Repair

    Posted

    Thanks Chris

     

    If bellows are so far gone, I've taken them apart to get the dimensions of the components.  The beauty of using templates for bellows parts, is that I can easily fabricate them in brass rather than wait weeks to order and have them shipped.

     

    I won't be ordering any clicker dies for bellows parts, since there are a great variety of different bellows shapes and sizes requiring any number of dies.  And a quick calculation suggests at least 4 dies per bellows - more for stretched bellows.

     

    With regard to the die press, I've not yet made a decision about whether it is right for me.

     

    I did however receive some very thin punches in the post today - the largest is 6mm in diameter - these should be ideal for making lever arm beads.  I'll try them out later today.

     

    post-Brexit shipping

    in General Concertina Discussion

    Posted · Edited by SteveS

    I'm sick of the additional charges for import to EU - we recently received a gift for my son, declared value £20 - we paid €12.37 in import duties and VAT.  Looking to import commercial goods from UK into Italy should attract 0% UK VAT, but according to the Italian customs site, 22% Italian VAT (which is the norm) and 5% customs fees.  Not too onerous, but still on principle I'd like to avoid dealing with Brexit Britain.

    Lachenal New Model 48-key Treble - Metal Ends

    in Buy & Sell

    Posted · Edited by SteveS

    A Lachenal New Model 48-key Treble English concertina, with steel reeds.  Reconditioned with new pads, new valves, and tuned to concert pitch (A=440Hz).
    This is a good example of a metal-ended New Model treble, plays well with a bright tone.
    The metal plating shows some sign of patina and finger wear acquired during the years, but this does not affect the playability of the instrument.
    One great feature is the provenance - having belonged to Owen McGohan, born in 1877 - and presumably, he acquired it new as a young man - around 1895 or so.

    This concertina would make an ideal upgrade from a tutor model - and will hold its own in a session.

    Includes the original case.

    €1950

    Located in Alessandria province, Piemonte, Italy.

     

     

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    • Like 2

    Valve punches

    in Instrument Construction & Repair

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Clive Thorne said:

    What you need is something called (amongst other things) a Wad punch. All sorts of sizes and qualities available on line, and from all good serious tool shops (not may left these days).

    No need to get anything special made (presuming you want round ones).

     

    Thanks - I have wad punches for the pads in a variety of different sizes.

    My guess is for valves I'll have to have custom shapes made.

    Valve punches

    in Instrument Construction & Repair

    Posted

    Given the difficulties in obtaining spare parts from the UK - essentially due to Brexit - I'm thinking to reconsider tooling up to make my own parts.

     

    I've got a lot of tools already, but what I'm missing are valve punches.

     

    Any recommendations for someone who can make me a set of punches for valves?

     

    Thanks

     

     

     

    Spare parts supplier

    in Instrument Construction & Repair

    Posted

    14 hours ago, SteveS said:

    Previously I'd sourced some parts from Concertina Spares, but now I'll have a chat with CA Cornish about the leather parts - including hides for bellows.  I'm still after the bushing felt though.

    I had a chat with CA Cornish - damned Brexit might make the prospect of sending to Italy prohibitively expensive and a load of paperwork is needed.  Even they can't source some leathers for concertinas because of import requirements as a result of Brexit.  There are no Brexit benefits.

    Spare parts supplier

    in Instrument Construction & Repair

    Posted · Edited by SteveS

    3 hours ago, d.elliott said:

    Steve,

     

    I have a 25mm stack of A4 sheets of silk lustre finished gold dot and cross papers which I have sold through concertina spares. The idea being that you print your 'nest' of papers on the reverse and cut away to your hearts content. I went down this route so I could make papers for baritones, bass, of any bellows configuration, for me this has worked well. I used Corel draw and print at scale 100%. getting about 40 papers per sheet for a generic treble. 

    Thanks Dave - sounds like just what I'm looking for.  I'll send you a PM.

     

    One of the concertinas I have on my bench is a rather nice Wheatstone baritone with awesome non-ferrous reeds - it sounds like a harmonium.

    Spare parts supplier

    in Instrument Construction & Repair

    Posted

    I recall some time ago seeing sheets of gold stars printed onto white paper suitable for cut-it-yourself bellows papers.

    I don't recall where I saw them - may have been eBay or Concertina Spares.

    Does anyone have any intel on where I may be able to source such?

     

    I had loads of parts in stock, but now things are running low.  I'm tooling up to make my own, but I've a 'tina I need to repair and I'm after valves, pads and bushing felt.  Previously I'd sourced some parts from Concertina Spares, but now I'll have a chat with CA Cornish about the leather parts - including hides for bellows.  I'm still after the bushing felt though.

     

    I'd appreciate tips re. suppliers for parts, and especially the bushing felt.

     

    Thanks

    Bargain Aeola TT

    in General Concertina Discussion

    Posted · Edited by SteveS

    I see that a 56-key ebony-ended Aeola TT (S/N 32619) sold yesterday at auction for a hammer price of £320.

     

    Someone got an amazing bargain.

     

    Although I was registered for the auction, I was unable to participate - so I missed out possibly.

    Custom/import question. Return to USA from England with your concertina

    in General Concertina Discussion

    Posted

    9 hours ago, David Barnert said:

    1) If they ask you what it is, try to find a way to answer the question truthfully without using the word “concertina,” which (also being the name of something—concertina wire—that can be considered a weapon) is on the list of things that must be confiscated

    I always describe my concertina as a 'small accordion' - never using the word 'concertina' unless on the rare occasion the security person recognises it.

    • Like 1

    Custom/import question. Return to USA from England with your concertina

    in General Concertina Discussion

    Posted

    17 hours ago, Wally Carroll said:

    I've never had an issue but if you could get a photo of yourself holding the concertina in a readily identifiable US location, that could be useful.  Even a photo at the US airport that you depart from with the name of the airport in the background or some other indication that you are definitely in the US with the instrument should prove that you had the instrument before you went on your trip.

    Take a photo with a newspaper, date/headlines clearly visible, in a clearly identifiable location.

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