Good Evening Rich. Thank you so much for your informative videos. I had/have a problem with my accordion. I've pretty much sorted this out now. I have not removed the bellows as I don't think I need to re-gasket it at this stage - the accordion is new. Can you tell me please, what is the best method to tap down proud bellows pins? Gently with a hammer?
Hello Thank you for your kind words To push bellows pins in I either use closed bellows pin pliers - i actually use guitar fret pliers for removing and pushing in bellows pins www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Steel-Guitar-Fret-Puller-Wire-Nipper-Puller-Plier-String-Cutter-Luthier-Tool-Sci-/195480792406?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0 Or use a small pin hammer to carefully tap the pins home. Best wishes Rich push or carefully tap with a small hammer- e.g.
I think I'm going to improvise and put PTFE tape (AKA Teflon tape, plumber's tape, thread sealer) over the old gaskets. It's extremely inexpensive, airtight, very thin even after several layers, stretches well and holds itself in place once wrapped upon itself and pressed down, and it's easily removed and leaves no residue. The only issue might be seeing a different color between the bellows and registers.
To fix a metal bellows corner I would use superglue - applied to the corner of the bellows then seat the corner firmly into place and crimp it tight with pliers. Don't forget that the bellows tape should be covering the ends of the corner and this helps it stay in position and also looks neat. 😁
Good Evening Rich. Thank you so much for your informative videos. I had/have a problem with my accordion. I've pretty much sorted this out now. I have not removed the bellows as I don't think I need to re-gasket it at this stage - the accordion is new. Can you tell me please, what is the best method to tap down proud bellows pins? Gently with a hammer?
Hello
Thank you for your kind words
To push bellows pins in I either use closed bellows pin pliers - i actually use guitar fret pliers for removing and pushing in bellows pins
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Steel-Guitar-Fret-Puller-Wire-Nipper-Puller-Plier-String-Cutter-Luthier-Tool-Sci-/195480792406?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0
Or use a small pin hammer to carefully tap the pins home.
Best wishes Rich
push or carefully tap with a small hammer- e.g.
You could use a small (e.g. 1 inch) block of wood or the butt end of a hammer or screwdriver handle as an intermediary between the hammer and the pin.
Thank you Rich! i also find that the gasket tape is unjustified expensive.. where do you buy from?
Hi Dimitri
I buy my bellows gasket from CGM Musical ( online shop for accordion and melodeon spares. )
I think I'm going to improvise and put PTFE tape (AKA Teflon tape, plumber's tape, thread sealer) over the old gaskets. It's extremely inexpensive, airtight, very thin even after several layers, stretches well and holds itself in place once wrapped upon itself and pressed down, and it's easily removed and leaves no residue. The only issue might be seeing a different color between the bellows and registers.
What glue should I use to fix the bellow corner?
To fix a metal bellows corner I would use superglue - applied to the corner of the bellows then seat the corner firmly into place and crimp it tight with pliers. Don't forget that the bellows tape should be covering the ends of the corner and this helps it stay in position and also looks neat. 😁