Theo

It really should go back if it arrived leaking air. Speaking as one in the trade, if I sell an instrument and the buyer is not happy with it I want the opportunity to put it right. Any reputable trader would do the same.

I think it's mainly tradition. I think that concertina players on average are quite conservative (small c) and repairers like myself take that into account and tend to use traditional leather valves.

If you fancy something classical on anglo Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne shows the way Or perhaps ragtime

Don’t feel bad. It’s all too easy to ignore the obvious. I’ve just been helping my daughter move back into a newly extended house. There was a sink blocked with dirty water. We called in the builder who looks at the pipe work, then put his hand into the water and pulled out the plug!

Sifbronze brazing rod works quite well for this. It comes in two thicknesses, you want the thinner one.

Yes, it's now sold elsewhere.

Jones 38 key Anglo tuned BbF, metal ends and buttons, steel reeds and tuned to concert pitch. The Jones name does not appear anywhere on the instrument but it has features that are characteristic such as the style of stamping of the letter L and R, and the batch number on the reed pans. Its a very nice concertina with a bright sound, and much less money than a Jeffries. It has original black six fold bellows with some new patches to cover worn areas. I've just completed an extensive restoration with complete overhaul of action and reeds and tuning to concert pitch. Selling on behalf of the owner who has just asked me to reduce the price from £2900 to £2200.

I often use Horolene on non-ferrous pars like screws and strap fittings. It’s make a very good job of cleaning off the bits of green gunge that are hard to remove by scraping and brushing. I’ve never used it on reeds. It takes a few hours rather than minutes. And yes it smells terrible, but just need to keep a lid on it.

Silicone rubber tube works well. Many sizes are available on ebay.

After that short time it is only fair to the maker to contact them first. Irrespective of differences in National consumer laws a reputable business like McNeela will want to look after their customer. If sending back to Ireland is impractical then they may be willing to pay a repairer local to you, but ask them first.

It’s not a concertina it’s a chromatic button accordion. Try asking on the https://www.accordionists.info

This UK supplier has No2 x 1" in brass which will do the job. https://www.screwsline.co.uk/product/wood_screws/brass/countersunk_head/slotted/?id=1484

If you are buying from a business in the UK and can't try the instrument first you have a right to return the instrument for a full refund. Check with the seller if this is part of their offer.

Jim, the case came with the plastic boxes shown in the last picture. It was sold as a fishing tackle bag, so the boxes would be for hooks, flies, weights, floats etc. It cost just under 20 quid including the plastic boxes..

I've just found this in my local Lidl: