Fixing leaking air in toy accordion

[folkie678]

I know i could just buy another one , but it's a Christmas gift and i don't wanna just throw it away , could anyone suggest some economical not to far fetched ways to fix this problem , i have no experience with repairing accordions , though i am a good learner .

[David Barnert]

The problem is too broad. Where is the leak coming from? How easy would it be to take the thing apart? The fix might entail anything from repairing (or replacing) a piece of internal hardware to sticking a piece of tape on the inside of the bellows.

[folkie678]

The problem is too broad. Where is the leak coming from? How easy would it be to take the thing apart? The fix might entail anything from repairing (or replacing) a piece of internal hardware to sticking a piece of tape on the inside of the bellows.

 

I think the leak is coming from the bellows ,, when i holds the accordion up to my face and press the a"air valve button a large gush of air comes from the the top of one side of the bellows" . As for how easy the thing is to take apart i think it is rather easy . Im sorry i couldn't give more info i have little knowledge of accordion

[David Barnert]

What happens when you don't press the air valve button?

 

If there is still a leak and you think it is in the bellows, try these steps:

 

• Find the leak by approximating its position with your face, as you already have, then wet a finger and explore that area while squeezing the bellows. The wet finger will feel the breeze quite acutely.
  
• Look and see if you can see the defect. Mark it with a pencil or a small piece of post-it paper or put a toothpick through it.
  
• Open up the instrument and tape the defect from the inside. If you can't get it open, tape it from the outside. If it's a seam that has come unglued, glue it with white (Elmer's or similar) glue.
  

Since, as you say, it's a cheap toy, I would think you don't have to be too careful about what kind of tape to use.

[malcolmbebb]

I have a similar toy melodeon. The bellows are leaky to the point of being almost unplayable.

 

The air leaks at the corners of the bellows. If you inflate the bellows then, with no buttons pressed, apply pressure to close it. Hold one bellows edge close to your lips, or eye, and you will feel the air movement.

 

I tried a new one in a shop and it was the same. I think to a point they are designed this way to avoid damage from putting pressure on the bellows by operating them without a button pressed.

 

If it's like mine, you won't fix it without a lot more knowledge and time.

 

The bellows can be disconnected at the keyboard end (four standard bellows pins - ask again if you want to know). I clamped mine extended and used a thin film of tent seam sealant (from a camping shop) to seal the gussets in the very corners. It wasn't a complete cure by any means, but has helped. However, a couple of tedious hours to do it (there were 14x4 pairs of gussets) then a couple of days for it to dry thoroughly...