Clive Thorne

5 axis CNC machine is what you need! - could do the tapers as part of the slotting process.

I'd have thought a light sand would have been a better way to provide a key for painting, if thats the way you want to go. Problem is that the new paint might react with whatever the original surface is.

I had put that look on the side down to poor feed & speed, a knackered cutter, or simply insufficient rigidity in the machine or clamping. The smooth bit at the end possible having been finished with a burr?

Me too.

You could well be right, I was only guessing. What we really need is someone to make two reed assemblies identical except in the way the "Relief" is done, and then try them side by side. Do you know anybody with the requisite skills, Alex? 🙂🙂🙂

Would it start to sound at a lower pressure perhaps? it is milled away so much that perhaps the effect would be as if the shoe were shallower.

Similarly, would concertina makers have ever used hide glue if more modern glues had been available at the time? Same as the old valve amp vs Soilid state amp discussion. Personally I would suspect not.

Mmmm Cheese. ........ Oh, I see, that sort of primula 🙁 EDITED FOR CLARIFICATION: IN the UK "Primula" is a brand of cream cheese.

I suggest that you find an alternative glue. It doesn't look like it get less hot and year soon!

Thanks Stephen. Every day a school day!

Am I correct in that the main difference between a Flutina and melodeon is that the Push and pull notes are reversed?

Just to point out that the old ones dug out the ground appear to have had the reeds riveted, where as the photo of the concertina has clamping plates, so a more better matching photograph may be out there somewhere.

If you made the bellows in two halves, "Wound" the opposite way then the twist could be eliminated, though I guess it would do your brain in to watch it.

For the knitting "festival"?

My concertina always says very nice things about me. Ah, sorry Complimentary instruments.

I am having lessons with John Kirkpatrick at the moment. Obviously not an irish trad player, but he basically said that if he can't do any repeated notes with one finger then he tends not to bother! I'm sure there are exceptions.

Apologies, I misread it and assume it was pad punches you needed. For the valves I would have thought that an evening in front the telly, or with music on, with some sharp scissors would suffice, unless you were going into production. That's what I do when I need to replace the odd one or two.

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).

Yes, that could also work.

I got the impression from the OP that the lady in question wanted to play out with people but lacked the confidence, i.e. there was no external pressure. I wasn't proposing a couple of drinks as a long term solution, just for the first couple of times, until she gets used to the idea. Yes it is a crutch, but one that might help her "Get on her feet", after which it can be discarded.

I had similar problems "Coming out" as a melodeon player. Your suggestions of sitting at the back is a good one. If she's a drinker than a couple of drinks might help with the nerves, as long as it doesn't affect the playing. A few pints certainly helped me when I first sang in public.

Many years ago(approx 40) I had a dream where I had "Invented" and built a "Dobro" concertina. Basically I think it was like normal except that it had thin metal baffles, attached in one palce,centrally, so they would resonate with the reeds. Probably a good job I woke up.

Is it just me, but the prices seem significantly lower than over here, given that 1 AUD is about 54p?

I would have thought (but don't know) that the pressure from letting one hang would be far less than the pressure & vacuum created during playing, even if you had a button pressed during playing.

Contrary to Simon's view, I think that the simple tunes that you already know (i.e. you can hum or whistle them) can be a very good starting point (especially if you don't read the dots), be it hot cross buns or whatever. Shepherds Hey is very useful because you only need 4 buttons to play it in it's basic form, and all on the right hand (Anglo) (ignoring the octave drop if in C). Even if you only play it in the first week or so it is a good starting point for a complete beginner. I am a bit beyond complete beginner but chose Shepherds Hey as my first foray into playing in D (G/C anglo) and then into F, and playing in G on the C row. I'd have thought an absolute beginner would be more likely to be put off by tackling a more complicated tune and struggling rather than playing a "boring" tune reasonably well. Why would you want to make life difficult for yourself/them? And, as for Hot Cross Buns. Double buttered for me. First coat to melt and soak in, then more cold butter to sit on the surface. Same as crumpet really. What do you mean, heart attack?