Switch lever air leak.(old accordion).

[Geoff de Limousin]

On an old accordion, where the coupler sliders are in the reed blocks and the switch lever passes through the foundation plate ,there is a chamois leather boot which is glued to the lever on the outer side to prevent, or cut down, air loss. It is a lot like the rubber cover at the base of gear sticks found in most cars. I have tracked down a considerable leak at this point and wonder if anyone here has experience of changing, or repairing one of these ?

I am going to work on the other side of the plate to see if I cannot improve the situation and I will take some photos though I am not sure how to post pictures here.
Many thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Soulsaver]

Hi Geoff when you click on the post reply button ( the facility isn't on quick reply) scroll down a bit & you'll see an upload attachment tab bottom left... follow the instructions. If it takes a while and fails - it'll be because they're too big. You'll need to resize them in your editor. Alternatively, you can use a picture hosting site and add the link here.

 

[Geoff de Limousin]

Thanks Soulsaver,
I'll try that, but this thing is proving difficult to photograph in any suitable way as it is buried deep in the Bass mechanism.

I think I have an easier to see version of the 'leather boot' on another accordion... see if I can come up with a picture, however I have figured that the whole lever mechanism is probably removable for repair. It is frustrating because I am coming close to the end of my 'Leaks' search and as many will know it is that last leak that can make one feel that little progress is being made untill it is staunched.

Recently I did have good results during a similar search on another OLD box, using a stethoscope to locate wind squeezing through a gap between the foundation plate and the case wall. That accordion is now a happy player!!

 

[Geoff de Limousin]

Having failed to make sutable images of this, and failed to find advice either, I took a deep breath , rolled up my sleeves and removed the device.

What looked to be Chamois leather was in fact some much more airtight hide of a similar colour. The leather boot did have a sizeable rip in it, due to the movement of the lever and the drying out of the material. I made a new boot from some airtight calf skin ,glued it around the wooden block that houses the mechanism and managed to re-assemble, in a very tight place.

The general air loss is now reduced but there are obviously more sneaky leaks elsewhere.... agghhh!