Melodeon.net Forums

Discussions => Instrument Design, Construction and Repair => Topic started by: paul.draper on June 13, 2011, 10:42:57 AM

Title: Broken Air button
Post by: paul.draper on June 13, 2011, 10:42:57 AM
Air button broke in the middle of a session. It's an oakwood so I was able to jam my finger in the slot and work the lever but I'm used to using my thumb and it got quite painful. I'm sure I can fix it but should I use hide glue or plastic for repair?
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: Martyn on June 13, 2011, 11:15:44 AM
If it's the wooden part that's broken PVA would be the best thing. Make sure you lightly clamp the joint or use masking tape to hold it together while the glue dries.
Could you send us a photo?

Martyn
www.melodeonrepairs.co.uk
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: paul.draper on June 13, 2011, 11:37:22 AM
The button has actually come off the metal lever and is inside the box. This was only last night so I have had the chance to do anything about it yet. Someone has already advised against hide glue.
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: Theo on June 13, 2011, 12:14:18 PM
The strip if metal that acts as a hinge for the button has probably broken.  In principle the repair is simple but in practice it require care to get it right.   Cut a new hinge strip from thin flexible metal,  drill it for the fixings,  It is usually screwed to the button, and riveted to the bass cover plate.
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: trevork on June 13, 2011, 12:50:40 PM
I managed a repair using the metal from an old metal food/fish slice, similar to the attached picture. Most of them are too stiff, but this one was nicely flexible, and already slotted, one of the edge strips being just the right width.
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: paul.draper on June 13, 2011, 01:14:33 PM
Well I haven't opened it up yet but from what I saw before the button slipped into the depths it was meant to slide over the lever (which seems to be intact). I really was just asking which is the best glue for the job.
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: Theo on June 13, 2011, 01:19:52 PM
...it was meant to slide over the lever (which seems to be intact). I really was just asking which is the best glue for the job.


Does the end of the lever stand up straight?  If so there should be a matching hole in the bass of the lever, and you could simply glue the button back on.  If it was that type I don't think the button could have come off and ended up inside the case, it would have fallen out.    If the part of the lever you can see is roughly parallel with the end plate then the button does not glue onto the lever, it attaches by a hinge/spring as described in earlier posts, and its not simply a case of gluing it back on.
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: paul.draper on June 13, 2011, 01:41:19 PM
No, the button has definitely fallen into the casing. I tried to retrieve it before it came completely off the lever. It seemed to be flanged which stopped it falling out of the case. The lever is parallel with the end plate, I suspect the button may have shattered and slid off the lever.
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: squeezy on June 13, 2011, 01:46:08 PM
If it's the same as my model 7 was then the lever you see is the air lever mechanism underneath where the button should go. There's a picture of it here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/squeezyjohn/5792802357/in/set-72157626874797764)

The button itself which has fallen inside the bass mechanism is just a wooden button screwed on to a metal strip as has been said and that should attach directly to the inside of the bass end plate (the bit your hand rests on).  This is what it should look like assembled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/squeezyjohn/5792803491/in/set-72157626874797764)

It's an easy enough job to mend.  You'll need to take off the bass strap then undo the screws in the feet that hold the plate on to get access

Cheers

Squeezy
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: paul.draper on June 13, 2011, 01:55:39 PM
Thats certainly the lever I can see.
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: paul.draper on June 13, 2011, 01:58:08 PM
But I didn't see the metal strip so either it had already fallen or wasn't there to begin with.
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: squeezy on June 13, 2011, 02:11:27 PM
I'll bet it's in there.  Time for the screwdriver  >:E
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: Flanna on June 13, 2011, 02:34:01 PM
Time to "take your pick" and every one is shouting "OPEN THE BOX!!"  :P
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: paul.draper on June 13, 2011, 02:48:39 PM
has to wait until I get home!
Title: Re: Broken Air button
Post by: paul.draper on June 14, 2011, 01:15:25 PM
Well you were right about the metal plate! It had just sheared in half which is not really surprising considering how long I've had it. I found a stiff strip of a rubber-like material in the bottom of my cycle pannier and used that as a replacement. Seems to work quite well and shouldn't fatigue like metal.

Thanks for the advice, anyway. 
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