Bellows rebind

[TomB-R]

What do people generally mean by a "rebind" of bellows? Is it just a new layer on the ridges or is old leather taken off first? (Or is it replacement of all the leather?)

 

Thanks

 

Tom

 

 

[d.elliott]

A covering of all the top-skive (outer ridges) with new leather, and some times the bellows frame bindings as well

 

Dave

[TomB-R]

Thank you Dave, I was starting to get a bit concerned that the mighty collective wisdom of concertina.net wouldn't get round to an answer!

Tom

[Henrik Müller]

C'mon - have a little faith

 

/Henrik

[Dirge]

Makes the bellows a bit stiff and it takes a while to play them to suppleness again, so have it done when you must, not before.

[varney]

On a side issue - I've seen it recommended that new bellow's papers be fitted when rebinding. Do people remove the old bellow's papers first and then rebind? If so, what's the best method to take them off?

[david robertson]

You could remove the old papers very carefully with minimal amounts of water and an infinite supply of cocktail sticks, but frankly, life's too short. Leave the old ones alone, rebind the ridges, and then paste new papers over the lot.

[varney]

You could remove the old papers very carefully with minimal amounts of water and an infinite supply of cocktail sticks, but frankly, life's too short. Leave the old ones alone, rebind the ridges, and then paste new papers over the lot.

 

 

Thanks Dave,

 

I have to confess I had that in mind as the easy option but didn't want to mention it lest there be howls of outrage from the skilled restorers.