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Diagnosis - pedal coupling causing cyphers

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  • Diagnosis - pedal coupling causing cyphers



    Probably unsurprisingly, our church is short of funds so when mechanical organ problems present,
    I have volunteered to take a look at them.
    The current issue is cyphering when coupling to the swell/great etc. I have discovered that the problem lies in the 
    threaded wooden coupling washers (locators?) on the coupling rod that comes directly up from the pedal action.
    So it is aligned with its correct key, the rod (actually it's more of a stiff, threaded wire) transfers it's vertical motion sideways
    via a horizontal bar which has a eye at each end.
    The rod/wire travels through the eye and its up/down motion is captured because to the top and bottom of the eye are located
    on the wire, two wooden (threaded?) locking washers.
    The washers need to be almost touching each side of the eye - that allows a little flexing for expansion/torsional stress
    but immediately transmits the motion when the pedal is depressed.
    Unfortunately the threading of these washers is worn such that after an hour or two of playing they slip too high above the eye and
    correspondingly too low below the eye. This prevents full pedal motion being transmitted and eventually leads to the swell cypthering.
    I really do not wish to attempt to remove this wire -  it's very cramped under the pedal-board and for just a single note it seems 
    a little excessive!
    However, I realise that if I could obtain a small split collets with a compression screws I could fit them to the wire - one above and one below
    and then tightening the screw would ensure no further slippage - and no more cypher.
    After that long explanation my question is relatively simple..are such split collets available and if so, from where?
    I am a newbie to this forum and would be so grateful for any assistance.
    The organ is around 90 years old and is pure tracker - no electrics!!
    Many thanks,
    Lowtherfan
       



  • #2
    Re: Diagnosis - pedal coupling causing cyphers



    To my best knowledge, tracker organs of 90 years ago, where not built using universal parts. Today they are....but 90 years ago, it was pretty much a thing of obtaining specific parts from the original builder. Each builder was different.</P>


    My advice would be to tell the church they are going to have to spend a little money to solve the problem. You need to call in an organ repairman that is speciallized in tracker organs. If you will post your location, I'll be happy to give you several tracker specialists, close to you, who would be able to get in touch with you, and negotiate a service call price.</P>


    Generally, a good tracker specialist is $50 to $125 per hour. While that may sound, perhaps a bit expensive, a knowledgeable and experienced tech could take one look at your coupler problem and quickly resolve it.</P>

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Diagnosis - pedal coupling causing cyphers



      Lowtherfan,</P>


      I suspect from the wording of your e-mail, that you are not from the United States. Jay999 is right about the non-standard parts. He<U>does</U> need to know your location in order to refer you to someone.</P>


      I've seen the "washers" to which you refer. Any good pipe organ repair person will be able to provide them to you, but you <U>may</U> need to go over the end of the "wire" in order to do the repair right. In fact, at one church where I played,the repair guyjust gave them to me at no charge so I could repair the organ myself when the issue occurred.</P>


      Meanwhile, is there some sort of temporary repair you could do until you can find the parts you need? Perhaps winding string from a spool of heavy thread around the "wire" where you want the "washer" to stop will work temporarily? Just be sure you do it so it can be removed or unwound easily. Has anyone else seen a temporary repair of this problem that worked well?</P>


      Michael</P>
      Way too many organs to list, but I do have 5 Allens:
      • MOS-2 Model 505-B / ADC-4300-DK / ADC-5400 / ADC-6000 (Symphony) / ADC-8000DKC
      • Lowrey Heritage (DSO-1)
      • 11 Pump Organs, 1 Pipe Organ & 7 Pianos

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Diagnosis - pedal coupling causing cyphers

        Thanks so much for both replies.

        I appreciate comments about "organ repair specialists" but we really don't have any cash to spare.
        Thanks also for suggestions re "wiring-up" the washers to prevent movement. Unfortunately there is really very little space 
        under the pedals into which I have to squeeze - certainly not enough to allow easy threading of wires...however I have
        just wrapped some masking-tape around the wire to the top and bottom of the offending washers and will see whether that helps.
        If it proves ineffective, at least it will be easy to remove and then I will try wiring as you suggest. The more I think about that suggestion
        the better I like it - I wonder if it would be possible to position the wire and then use soft-solder to reinforce the loops to top and bottom.

        You are right - I am in the SE of the UK!
        ..and again, thanks for your assistance.

        Lowtherfan    

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Diagnosis - pedal coupling causing cyphers

          I really would suggest you get an organ builder in to fix it. I would not recommend amateurs, however well intentioned they may be to fiddle inside. Contact your diocesan organ advisor to get some help and advice on this. Perhaps you could start off an organ fund or organise a fund-raising event to bring in some money to pay for the repairs?

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