Virtual Tour Step 12

The Primary Valve Chest

The primary valve chest works on the same principle as the secondary but the whole chest is smaller. Here is a view of the unrestored chest.

Here it is not important to keep the valves in order. As you can see there are no metal valve plates, instead the leather valve facings mate with the wood to create an air tight seal. Each valve has a button on the top that is glued to a small wooden dowel. To remove the valves all you have to do is drive the dowels back out. The primaries are a lot easier to rebuild than the secondaries. When restoring any unit do not buy pre-cut leather valve facings and pouches. Buy your own leather and cut it yourself. This way you will be sure of the quality of the leather.

Here is the newly restored primary pouch board. These pouches are harder to work with because of their small size. After this step the primary valve chest was reassembled and tested and all problem solved.

There are no more pictures of the restoration of this instrument so the tour will conclude here. I will be starting a new project in January 1998 and I will be documenting it here on this site.

This piano is now complete and has been in use for about 2 years and it has never given any trouble. If you are interested it this or any other mechanical music instrument send an E-mail at the link below.

Hope you enjoyed your tour. Come back again soon.

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