Tango IIB switch repair.

[Mr Mark]

Found another one of these, and apart from needing the usual rewax/valve/tuning is in pretty nice shape. That and a few loose screws.

I'm wondering if anyone has fixed one of these mechanisms before or know how to disassemble? The screws are missing that hold it to the body, but when its all in place to receive new screws, I cannot access the screw holes as the paddles are then position directly above the screw holes with barely any room to spare. So it appears that I need to remove the spindle holding the switches on, screw the plate back on, then reinstall the spindle.

I can't really get the spindle to move more than about 1/8". I am able to get it past and into the end bearing/ball mount, but no further (either way).

I'm pretty sure the spindle is attached to the paddles - so don't think it's meant to come apart this way - or I'm missing something.

There are two small holes in the ends of the paddles in the middle, where it looks like the spindle runs that attach the paddles to the eventual reed slider. I'm not sure if I should progress to this next. I hope not.


If I can't get this apart my alternatives seem no less labour intensive than removing all the keys and installing some sort of nut and bolt system protruding from the end of the keyboard.

I will definitely be adding extra screws once figured out - it seems this is an issue on most of these.

 

[debra]

The only way to get access to the register mechanism is to disassemble the keyboard. Then you can see how the mechanism runs under the keyboard from the switch to the inside.

 

[boxplayer4000]

Mr Mark: Daft question but have you examined all the parts under the cover on the rear of the keyboard? (See picture below). It seems a bit drastic to have to consider dismantling the keyboard.

 

[Mr Mark]

Finally found some time to poke around at this…

I removed the back cover off the accordion and was able to completely separate this switch mechanism from the instrument.

However, the problem remains.

I have no way to access the screw hole to either put a screw in or to drive it with a driver. This is because the spindle/paddle assembly is in the way.

The only thing I can think of is that the spindle has to be driven out, but it appears to be stuck and will not move any further. I’m going to lube it and leave it for a while, and hopefully somebody has some insight on this before I start applying real force to the spindle, hopefully not breaking anything .

You can see the small hole from the underside picture (goldbar)...and from above in the last picture right beside the round ball thing.

 

[debra]

You are probably right that the spindle has to come out. But if over time the wood of the flaps has swollen it may have gripped the spindle so tight that this may never work. If cosmetics is not too important you could make a cutout in the wood right where the holes for the screws are so you can put in new screws without removing the flaps completely. Or else, maybe do something with a very strong glue instead of screws.

 

[Dingo40]

have no way to access the screw hole to either put a screw in or to drive it with a driver. This is because the spindle/paddle assembly is in the way.

Very intriguing!
Assuming there was a screw there originally, it must have been possible for it to fall out through the limited space available.
If you can find a replacement screw, might it be possible to find or make a suitable "right angled " (at the tip) screwdriver to turn the screw in the available space, cramped though it is?

 

[Mr Mark]

It turns out that yes, driving the spindle out was the solution. It was a tough go and I managed to remove one paddle then drive it back the other way enough to move the second paddle out of the way. Then I put new oversized screws in to hold the whole assembly to the instrument and reassembled so it works again. I now just have to fiddle with one paddle assembly as it doesn't always switch with ease but in case anyone runs into this again, this is what needs to be done.