This is what I’m up against…..

[Lappy]

This is a Wheatstone made in 1852 (serial number 4050). It belongs to an old buddy of mine. I need to replace several valves and probably all 4 gaskets. Can I remove the chamois with a palette knife dipped in hot water?

[Lappy]

next photo 

[Lappy]

third photo 

[Tiposx]

If it is held down by the original hide glue, it will peel off with a pull. Do that lengthways to avoid stressing the wood. You can clean it up after that with a damp rag. The reside will soften with a few light rubs, then after a couple of minutes just another rub should remove it completely.

Best to try a test piece. If it has been repaired with modern glue then it will be a much harder job.

The Left hand side chamois doesn’t look too bad from here, but if it has hardened and leaks it is done for.

personally I use wheat glue to replace chamois. Others may use: gum Arabic, fish glue, rabbit glue, hide glue. Please avoid modern glues. Apologies if you know this stuff already!

[Lappy]

Thanks for your advice! I appreciate it.

[d.elliott]

from the pictures I suspect that the concertina needs all valves replacing, Before replacing any gaskets check the reed pan support blocks for security and height to compress the chamber wall top gasketing. Why and which four gaskets are you worried about?

 

 

[Chris Ghent]

When there is darkening of the chamois it is indicative of air passing over it. The  air deposits any dust it is carrying in the chamois.  It can mean the reedpan holding blocks need repositioning, a relatively simple task, but it can also be indicative of warping in the reedpan and pad board.  Easily checked by laying a straightedge across them.

[Lappy]

4 hours ago, d.elliott said:

from the pictures I suspect that the concertina needs all valves replacing, Before replacing any gaskets check the reed pan support blocks for security and height to compress the chamber wall top gasketing. Why and which four gaskets are you worried about?

 

 

Two entire reed pans and two bellows frames

[Lappy]

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions that all of you are giving. I’m a novice and can use all the help that you give. 

[Clive Thorne]

Now  to raise some eyebrows!

 

In the past I have found that brushing the chamois with a fine wire brush can restore its sealing effectiveness (up to a point),It just fluffs up the surface a bit. Also I have found that a very light application of a leather oil can revitalise it, but make sure that the oil is fully absorbed by the oil (e.g. leave it overnight), and blot it on some kitchen roll, before reassembling.

 

[d.elliott]

It is unusual to need to re-gasket a concertina in it's entirety, or indeed to even replace a single piece of chamber wall gasket. Try the reed pan support blocks and fluffing up the gasket tops first. 

[Tiposx]

1 hour ago, d.elliott said:

It is unusual to need to re-gasket a concertina in it's entirety, or indeed to even replace a single piece of chamber wall gasket. Try the reed pan support blocks and fluffing up the gasket tops first. 

That's what works for me.

[d.elliott]

Tiposx, which works for you? gasket replacement or support blocks/ gasket fluffing?

 

[Tiposx]

Gasket fluffing is always worth a try, if that doesn’t work then replacement. I should have been clearer 👍

[Richard Mellish]

12 hours ago, d.elliott said:

Tiposx, which works for you? gasket replacement or support blocks/ gasket fluffing?

 

Surely that depends on whether the leaks are caused by gaskets that have become too badly compressed or by one or more of the blocks having come loose.

[Frank Edgley]

If it is a Lachenal there is a strong possibility the reedpan or the action board, or both have warped. That means there is a gap between the tops of the reed chamber dividers and the action board. If it is the action board which is warped you may put a straight edge across the tops of the chamber dividers and find them straight, but there is not a good seal because of the warped action board. This is much more difficult to fix.

[d.elliott]

Frank,

 

I usually find that slipping a bit of paper or hard under the existing chamois gasket on top of the offending reed chambers works. Sometimes this is coupled with reed pan support block adjustments. Its just about taking a methodical approach. The craft element is fairly small.

 

[Lappy]

On 2/16/2025 at 5:51 AM, d.elliott said:

Frank,

 

I usually find that slipping a bit of paper or hard under the existing chamois gasket on top of the offending reed chambers works. Sometimes this is coupled with reed pan support block adjustments. It’s just about taking a methodical approach. The craft element is fairly small.

…hard cardboard?