My Rochelle Melted

[mainstreetmark]

I suppose somewhere it says that these things are held together with earwax, but I must've missed it. I noticed that some of the reeds had fallen out (I live on an un-airconditioned sailboat in Florida).

 

Well, I managed to get it back together, using a warm hobby screwdriver to re-melt all the earwax in place, but I made a mistake. The hot screwdriver touched the little flapper plastic bit on one of the reeds, causing it to melt enough that it doesn't actually do the job anymore.

 

So, where can I get one of these little replacement parts, you think? Google didn't turn up much, but I don't actually know what they're called.

 

I'm also hoping the vendor (buttonbox) will help me out on this.

 

And, by god, keep these things air conditioned, somehow.

[Michael Marino]

I suppose somewhere it says that these things are held together with earwax, but I must've missed it. I noticed that some of the reeds had fallen out (I live on an un-airconditioned sailboat in Florida).

 

Well, I managed to get it back together, using a warm hobby screwdriver to re-melt all the earwax in place, but I made a mistake. The hot screwdriver touched the little flapper plastic bit on one of the reeds, causing it to melt enough that it doesn't actually do the job anymore.

 

So, where can I get one of these little replacement parts, you think? Google didn't turn up much, but I don't actually know what they're called.

 

I'm also hoping the vendor (buttonbox) will help me out on this.

 

And, by god, keep these things air conditioned, somehow.

 

They are mylar or acetate valves and Wim might be able to help or go to an accordion repair person and request the item needed you can attach the new one with either clear nail polish or varnish (varnish works better). If you can't get one any other way let me know and which reed you damaged and will send you one (since i have a good number of them around and they aren't that expensive (you buy them by the 10gram weight from most of the producers of them).

 

Michael

 

PS not ear wax but a mix or pine rosin and bees wax works best. If you need any of that, let me know and can tell you where can get sticks of the stuff we use with accordions and such.

[Richard Morse]

I'm also hoping the vendor (buttonbox) will help me out on this.

The Button Box has replacement plastic valves and reed wax that you can buy individually or by the set (or you can send the box to us to be put to rights). Or Wim at the ConcertinaConnection can do it as well.

 

If you're reasonably handy I suggest to get some replacement valves at a local accordion store and do it yourself. The postage alone will cost more than the wax and valves.

 

-- Rich --

[Sebastian]

I noticed that some of the reeds had fallen out (I live on an un-airconditioned sailboat in Florida).

 

Interesting. Today, cycling to parliament house in the dark morning, I thought about putting on gloves from next week on because of the frostiness.

[malcolm clapp]

Mark, In an emergency, a valve can be cut from the innards of an old floppy disc.

 

Or even a new floppy disc if you can find anywhere that still stocks them....

 

MC

[Richard Morse]

I noticed that some of the reeds had fallen out (I live on an un-airconditioned sailboat in Florida).

Interesting. Today, cycling to parliament house in the dark morning, I thought about putting on gloves from next week on because of the frostiness.

Hah! You must live someplace relatively warm. I've been wearing gloves and goggles when I cycle to work for the past couple of weeks. This morning it was 16°F... just a whisper of winter to come.

 

-- Rich --

[LDT]

I noticed that some of the reeds had fallen out (I live on an un-airconditioned sailboat in Florida).

Interesting. Today, cycling to parliament house in the dark morning, I thought about putting on gloves from next week on because of the frostiness.

Hah! You must live someplace relatively warm. I've been wearing gloves and goggles when I cycle to work for the past couple of weeks. This morning it was 16°F... just a whisper of winter to come.

 

-- Rich --

I'm sitting inside in a scarf and coat with gloves on.

[Bill N]

Hah! You must live someplace relatively warm. I've been wearing gloves and goggles when I cycle to work for the past couple of weeks. This morning it was 16°F... just a whisper of winter to come.

 

-- Rich --

 

No danger of melting reed wax here either. We had our first little bit of snow 2 days back, but it didn't stick around. Still, very pleasant to ride to work. Soon it will be snow pants and face mask weather.

 

BTW, just to keep on topic, My Morse Ceili cleared customs yesterday, and should be arrivng today! (I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve) It will be travelling home on my bike rack, and will travel around quite a bit that way this winter. Any recommended precautions when taking a cold concertina into a warm session or band practice?

[yankeeclipper]

Any recommended precautions when taking a cold concertina into a warm session or band practice?

Here in Minnesota, where winters are serious, my EC travels in a good sealed case and with a fleece blanket wrapped around it. When it gets back into a warm room, I usually try to let the case stand for half an hour or so before opening it. In 25 years, I've had no problems.

[m3838]

Here in Minnesota, where winters are serious,

 

The world is fundamentally different today, isn't it? As I'm looking out the window, I see quiet San Francisco street and usually foggy weather is no more. It's like Florida during winter out here. Very pleasant and comfortable.

Winter? What winter?

[mainstreetmark]

Ah, thanks everybody, but I went ahead and sent it back to Button Box. I hope they don't over-charge me for repair. I shoulda waited an extra day for all these nice replies. Floppy Disk? Excellent idea. I was going to use the back of my vehicle registration sticker, but it was kind of curved.

 

I AM pretty handy, as supported by the fact that i attempted the repair myself, but apparently am also clumsy. I have an event coming up on Nov14th (pirate gathering) and needed it done (right) by then, but someone has since given me an old Scholer ("made in germany east") which will somewhat suffice. It's only 20 keys, and in a different key, but it'll do the om-paa bits just fine.

 

As to my location, I'm in North Florida, where a recent "mass of canadian cold air" has dropped us down to 50 degrees. Everyone's got on long coats and hats. 2 months ago, it was in the 90's, and I suppose the heat and the waves knocked some those reeds out.

[Ishtar]

Here in Murky-by-the-Med it's a balmy 7°C, with the wind bringing it down to 5°C.

 

Elsewhere in France it's doing that nasty snowing stuff.

 

My hands are so cold, my fingers don't want to play the concertina!

[Bill N]

Any recommended precautions when taking a cold concertina into a warm session or band practice?

Here in Minnesota, where winters are serious, my EC travels in a good sealed case and with a fleece blanket wrapped around it. When it gets back into a warm room, I usually try to let the case stand for half an hour or so before opening it. In 25 years, I've had no problems.

 

Well, I've made a concertina carrier for my bike. I found (not stole!) a heavy plastic milk crate and attached it pannier style to my bike rack. I've lined it with sheets of blue styrofoam insulation cut to fit the four sides and bottom, and made a lid that friction fits on top. The case for the Morse fits snugly in the lined crate. I still have to make an elasticized, vinyl cover (like a big shower cap) and attach an LED tail light and some reflective tape to the backside of the crate. Should keep everything warm and dry on those cold, snowy rides to band practice!

[PeterT]

Here in Murky-by-the-Med it's a balmy 7°C, with the wind bringing it down to 5°C.

 

Elsewhere in France it's doing that nasty snowing stuff.

 

My hands are so cold, my fingers don't want to play the concertina!

I looked out of the window late on Tuesday evening to find that it was snowing! Luckily, it had rained heavily beforehand, so the snow did not settle.

 

I could never recall seeing snow, in October, in this part of north Surrey (any before Christmas is unusual), so checked on my local weather station's website (about 7 miles south of me). Snow had settled there; first time in October since 1887. If this is the effect of Global Warming, I'm not impressed, especially on the back of two lousy summers. No wonder I get depressed ........