button fell off wren deluxe, did I repair it right?

[usurpator]

Hello,

I started playing the concertina a month ago and a half ago and i’m hooked (i play about two to three hours everyday). This is the first time i open a concertina

my wren deluxe lost a key (the button you press on with your fingers) it fell off inside the concertina.

I opened the concertina side (sorry i dont know the name of the parts), the button had come unattached off the metal bit that goes inside the button on one side and onto (there is a hole in the metal) the lever that lift the pads (name?) that block the holes leading to the  reeds. that metal bit had a plastic circle onto it (for softening the pressure i suppose).

I tried putting everything back in place but it fell off again, not knowing how to glue (or is gluing a no no) the button to the metal part i took it off and replaced it with a spare that came with the wren (button fixed on metal part with plastic bit in place), so far all is back to normal but what can I do to fix the fallen button (now a spare)onto his metal bit?

I would glue it but I want to be sure I’m not doing a big mistake.

all advice most welcome and apologies for my not knowing the names of parts, I’m going to order the concertina repair book right away!

This incident made me realize: I live in the south of france and there isent a concertina repair man of accordion specialist anywhere around here (it seems the concertina doesnt exist in france) I am wondering: I have dream of buying a good anglo from barleycorn, but wouldnt it be safer for me to get a good new anglo so I wont have any repair problem ? this is kust a distant dream but I welcome comments 😻

 

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

Would be helpful for you  to take photos of the button  problem for everyone to rake a look at, then we can see how to remedy your worries.

 

[RAc]

31 minutes ago, usurpator said:

I have dream of buying a good anglo from barleycorn, but wouldnt it be safer for me to get a good new anglo so I wont have any repair problem ? this is kust a distant dream but I welcome comments

 

Hi there,

 

a new concertina does not mean it is maintenance free.

 

Once you settle on concertina playing, you will have to do some repair work yourself sooner or later, you buy into it (it's in the small print, you may have failed to read it 😉). 

[usurpator]

I suspected as much, getting some spares parts becomes a must!

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

Over the years I have made dozens of adjustments, inside my concertina.. replaced buttons, added my own bits to help reduce levers slipping, and made my own torsion springs for buttons..

There's always something that may happen because there's so many moving parts within🌝 as you will have already noticed yourself.

Make sure you always open and close very carefully So as not to damage the instrument or bellows frame.🌝 There's such a fine clearance in wood to screw space I have found.

Edited March 30 by SIMON GABRIELOW

[usurpator]

yes it’s a real factory in there! i was scared but after my first “repair” I played for an hour and a half and all is working well, so i think tomorrow I’m going to open the other side where the low low C speak only after a solid second of pushing in, and another note buzzes, I read here that with care and very fine piece of paper it’s possible to get the dirt out of the reed, I used to build 1:70 model kits so I have the tools and the steady hands. I’d never dare do that on a vintage box, but on a mcneela…. 

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

Keep all the bits and pieces you may adjust in repair; button parts, springs, and keep them for future use if need be. I  have a matchbox with quite a few button tops, and the metal stems ( that slip on levers)...left from replacing  buttons,along with any tubing that slips on the end. Never throw them away.. they can be useful in future🌝

[usurpator]

i will!it’s my natural reaction: keep everything! (taught to me by my grand-ma who had to live through german occupation of france when anything “could come in handy one day”) lol.