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Author Topic: Video of possible bellows leak - advice please?  (Read 1940 times)

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skyflyer

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Video of possible bellows leak - advice please?
« on: October 16, 2013, 09:32:55 PM »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5705dpQrrFw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

shows how far the bellows expand in 30 secs under the melodeons own weight.

Is this normal?  If not does it indicate a serious leak?

I have just replaced the gasket which made no improvement and there is no obvious leaks that I can feel using my lips/tongue/cheek so I guess it is pallets, but I was just curious if it is thought of as 'acceptable'. Its a realtively new box, so chinese made I guess!

Thanks in anticipation!
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Hohner Pokerwork D/G
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Lester

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Re: Video of possible bellows leak - advice please?
« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2013, 09:47:28 PM »

Looks fine to me, most boxes through my workshop are like this. It would be really hard to make it any better.

skyflyer

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Re: Video of possible bellows leak - advice please?
« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2013, 09:53:54 PM »

Lester, that is such bad news you know - nothing to blame my ineptitude on now  ;)

Seriously though, thanks for that - as a beginner it is so difficult to know what is "normal" although I am on a rapid learning curve!

(look forward to some 'mechanics' at Playgroup in a few weeks)

Graeme
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Hohner Pokerwork D/G
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Theo

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Re: Video of possible bellows leak - advice please?
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2013, 10:20:20 PM »

Other places to check for leaks are the screws holding the bellows straps, and the two screws holding the fingerboard in place. The keyboard screws in particular tend to leak air.  You can either put a collar of hot melt round the screw head, which is the way Hohner do it now, or if you want a neater job a thin washer of gasket material under the washer, making the washer a tight fit on the screw shank.  Suitable materials for this are gasket paper, thin leather, thin rubber, or even thin card might be better than nothing.
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Theo Gibb - Gateshead UK

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Rog

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Re: Video of possible bellows leak - advice please?
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2013, 07:05:41 PM »

Call that a bellows leak? In my day <cue Yorkshireman's sketch>

Rob2Hook

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Re: Video of possible bellows leak - advice please?
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2013, 01:28:38 PM »

I'd advise against the hot glue seal on the fingerboard screws as the Chinese screws are made of monkey metal and it's only too easy to marmalise the head when held by hot glue!  Other accidental penetrations, strap brackets, etc. with the head on the outside it's a great fix though.

That was about the leak rate on my Chinese Pokerwork when new.  The only box that's better is my Trilly - and you don't want to know how much that cost!  I believe you're right that it's just the pallets leaking and a more effective (expensive) pad would reduce it significantly, but without much effect on the playability.

Rob.
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Theo

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Re: Video of possible bellows leak - advice please?
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2013, 01:30:35 PM »

I'd advise against the hot glue seal on the fingerboard screws as the Chinese screws are made of monkey metal and it's only too easy to marmalise the head when held by hot glue! 

Too true, I usually replace them.
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Theo Gibb - Gateshead UK

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