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With help from people here and other online resources, I have completed my first organ restoration project. Before I started, I knew nothing about reed organs, and don't even know how to play a keyboard instrument (I'm working on that). But. I like antique clocks and stumbled on this organ while searching for clocks online. I was intrigued and as you are all aware, the price was right - not even something worth haggling over (although I did). Now that it's restored, it must be worth at least a whole dollar more. 😀
I video recorded the whole process and created a playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOAi...SE_LfsMpfIPv5g nZturMT_d I apologize in advance for the hand-held cell phone quality, poor script and lack of David Attenborough's or Morgan Freeman's voice narration.
This clock has turned out to be a real diamond in the rough. The case is fully intact and nary a scratch on it. The finish is in unbelievable good shape with no dull or crazed spots. I would not call it a professional restoration job because I didn't replace all the felts and leathers. I did clean everything including a couple of silent or rattling reeds, replaced the cloths and some felt, reglued a few joints and did a temporary hack job on the bellows and a addressed a few other items as seen in the videos. Other than that, the mechanics were in great working order. No signs of previous repairs or vermin. I am still missing Viola 4ft and Violina 4ft stop labels and am keeping my eyes open.
If anyone sees anything wrong with my process or results, I would appreciated the feedback - I'm still learning. After the video, I learned the term pitman rods, for which I was calling them pallet rods.
It was really a fun project and I had already purchased a rather beat up Farrand organ for parts (just in case I needed them for this one and it was nearby) and just recently picked up a free Chicago Cottage Co. organ in slightly worse starting condition, but I expect it will clean up nicely too.
Tom
I video recorded the whole process and created a playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOAi...SE_LfsMpfIPv5g nZturMT_d I apologize in advance for the hand-held cell phone quality, poor script and lack of David Attenborough's or Morgan Freeman's voice narration.
This clock has turned out to be a real diamond in the rough. The case is fully intact and nary a scratch on it. The finish is in unbelievable good shape with no dull or crazed spots. I would not call it a professional restoration job because I didn't replace all the felts and leathers. I did clean everything including a couple of silent or rattling reeds, replaced the cloths and some felt, reglued a few joints and did a temporary hack job on the bellows and a addressed a few other items as seen in the videos. Other than that, the mechanics were in great working order. No signs of previous repairs or vermin. I am still missing Viola 4ft and Violina 4ft stop labels and am keeping my eyes open.
If anyone sees anything wrong with my process or results, I would appreciated the feedback - I'm still learning. After the video, I learned the term pitman rods, for which I was calling them pallet rods.
It was really a fun project and I had already purchased a rather beat up Farrand organ for parts (just in case I needed them for this one and it was nearby) and just recently picked up a free Chicago Cottage Co. organ in slightly worse starting condition, but I expect it will clean up nicely too.
Tom
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