Riveted Action

[john mahan]

I have been wondering about the difference between a rivited action and non riveted action function in an anglo concertina.

I have recently purchased a Jones 26 that I have been told does not have a riveted action. What does this mean?

I also have an Edgley c/g that I have been playing for some time that I really like.

The Jones has broad steel reeds, so it says...again I am not too sure what that means...

[Greg Jowaisas]

John,

Between the button and the pad your Jones has a small rectangular pivot plate with a tang that anchors it into the action board. There is a small rectangular opening cut into the plate thru which the lever arm pivots up and down. A spring provides pressure on the arm to keep the pad down AND hold the lever arm in place in the pivot plate.

 

With a rivet action the pivot plate is parallel to the lever arm. A hole is drilled in the plate and the lever arm. A rivet secures the arm to the pivot plate.

No spring pressure is needed to keep the lever arm in place. Spring pressure can be totally devoted to the pad. Rivet action generally keeps the arms lined up with the pad holes better than the "hook and arm" action desribed in the first paragraph. Again, generally speaking, rivet action can be more lightly sprung than hook and lever.

 

Frank Edgley ingeniously uses two springs with his hook and lever action. One spring's primary purpose is to keep the lever arm tight against the pivot;

The other spring is devoted to applying pressure to the pad. Frank's system works very well and results in a hook and lever system that rivals the smoothness of a rivet action.

 

Btw most Jones are found with a rivet action. Broad steel reeds were also a feature on many Jones. They are indeed broader (width) than most other concertina reeds. They have their fans. To me their tone is a little warmer and more rounded than the Lachenal or Wheatstone sound. Individual perception may vary.

 

Greg

[Azalin]

Thanks for the explanation Greg, very interesting.

[Robin Madge]

The rivetted action is regarded as superior, but eventually the hole in the arm enlarges to the point where it breaks through, or the rivet is reduced in diameter until it parts in the middle.

The arms are going first on my Wheatstone.

 

Anyone fancy calculating how may button depressions it takes to get to this point?

 

Robin Madge

[Greg Jowaisas]

The rivetted action is regarded as superior, but eventually the hole in the arm enlarges to the point where it breaks through, or the rivet is reduced in diameter until it parts in the middle.

The arms are going first on my Wheatstone.

 

Anyone fancy calculating how may button depressions it takes to get to this point?

 

Robin Madge

 

What a "depressing" thought! As a repairperson I have never seen a lever, post , or rivet worn all the way through. However, I've seen lots of noisy and clicky action where through wear the rivet no longer secures the arm "snugly" against the post. The remedy is to spread the rivet so that all the parts work together again. (This is job that always makes me a bit nervous. Easy to over due and not for the amateur or faint of heart.)

 

As to Robin's question of how many ups and downs are in a given lever it may be up there with the number of dancing angels on the head of the pin. A lot depends on materials, original tolerances and...use. I will venture to say that anglos and their action seem to take more of a "beating" in the way they are played.

 

Greg