Torn Bellows Repair

[Alessalot]

Hi there!

I am hoping that someone will be able to point me in the right direction when it comes to fixing the right bellows of my pump organ. The bottom of where the bellows is connected seems to have ripped completely, and so it is not allowing me to pump correctly. I have attached a couple of photos of the torn bellows (first two photos) as well as the left side which seems to be in working order and is allowing me to create a sound (last photo). I have no idea what type of material to use, or how to go about repairing this. Any and all help/pointers would be so very appreciated!

Thanks so much in advance!

[Larason2]

I would recommend releathering the bellows completely. Most pump organs haven't been releathered since manufacture, and the leather is only meant to last 10-20 years at most. You can either releather it yourself, or hire someone to do it. I recall there are options for organ restoration in Ontario from a previous web search, and I would estimate a releathering would cost in the range of $1000-$3000. You could call around to confirm the pricing. You could also releather it yourself, which would be much less expensive, but much more time consuming. Usually pump organs disassemble from the top down, and the bellows assembly is in the bottom. As you disassemble, it is recommended you clean and lubricate as you go, and re glue any wood joints that are coming apart. When you get to the bellows frame, you need to take it all out, and heat/scrape the frame to get all the old leather off (most organ bellows were glued with hide glue, which liquefies with heat). Once you get it all cleaned up, a supplier for organ leathers that has been mentioned on the forum before is Columbia organ leathers. You would need to order the skin, then carefully cut it to size. You can try re-gluing it with hide glue again, but Columbia recommends Fish glue (which I found I can also get from Lee Valley tools). Hide glue requires a special heated pot. Either way, it is tricky to glue it on right, so there are no air leaks, and you might need to try patching your glue job, or do it more than once until you get the technique down. The most common is air leaks from the corners. The ideal is if after pumping until the bellows is full, it will hold the pressure for some time (even up to an hour) as long as you don't press any keys. Note that I have never done this before, but this is what I have read on other forum posts, and from my research, as I'd like to do this someday.

[myorgan]

You could also releather it yourself, which would be much less expensive, but much more time consuming. Usually pump organs disassemble from the top down, and the bellows assembly is in the bottom. As you disassemble, it is recommended you clean and lubricate as you go, and re glue any wood joints that are coming apart. When you get to the bellows frame, you need to take it all out, and heat/scrape the frame to get all the old leather off (most organ bellows were glued with hide glue, which liquefies with heat).

From your original post, it sounded like you wanted to re-leather the bellows yourself. I am not sure, but I believe with some manufacturers, the bellows can be removed independently of the action, either through the front, or back of the organ. I can't swear by that, but it may work in your favor.

Michael

P.S. Welcome to our happy hoard!

[Organfella]

Hello and welcome! You do not state the make and type of your organ. Pressure types usually have leather bellows while suction types are rubberized cloth. Perhap you could indicate the make and type of your organ and some more pictures of the keyboard, cabinet and stop arrangement. However, the name of the organ will tell a great story in order to be able to assist you more.
Nico