Gem Roller Organ

[hardeen7]

I understand this may be beyond the scope of the Talking Machine Forum but I cant help but think someone in the community knows a lot about roller organs too. I inherited one from my Uncle and would like to get it working. It appears the moving parts are all "moving" but I will need to replace the bellows (must be leaking). If you have any expertise in this area please email me at: [email protected]. Thanks!

[JerryVan]

I understand this may be beyond the scope of the Talking Machine Forum but I cant help but think someone in the community knows a lot about roller organs too. I inherited one from my Uncle and would like to get it working. It appears the moving parts are all "moving" but I will need to replace the bellows (must be leaking). If you have any expertise in this area please email me at: [email protected]. Thanks!

I've recovered the bellows in a couple of these. For the pumping bellows, underneath, I have used "motor bellows cloth". It's a bit more rigid than plain bellows cloth and tends to not puff out when exhausting air. Carefully remove the existing cloth and note the shape and how the hinge is formed where the moveable boards attach. You will also have to replace the valves. The external ones are visible underneath as a strip of soft leather, covering 3 or 4 holes in the moveable bellows boards. When you remove the bellows covering, you'll see the internal valves. I replaced the dried-out valve leathers with very soft, fine leather, (kid leather, or belly leather). You can't stretch the leather too taut or it won't move away easily from the holes to allow the bellows to breathe. Too loose and the leather won't be sucked back in place to seal the valve when needed. When gluing the bellows cloth, use only hide glue. It sets quickly and is easily removed when needed. Organ restorers hate it when past restorers used a more permanent glue.
You can use the motor bellows cloth on the upper, accumulating bellow as well, but it may be better to use lighter clothe there.

You'll also need to seal off the vacuum chamber. The box behind the reed plate. The key felts will likely also need replacing.

Check these folks out... https://organetterepair.com/index.html# ... c/32114027

[hardeen7]

Thank You Jerry!