Let me know if I have any gross errers in my thinking here:
My understanding is a pinned accordion has rabbets cut into the inside of the face-frame such that it fits over the bellows-frame. This is so the pins can pass through the face-frame and into the bellows frame. This should make the whole construction stronger, though it would require more work in the building. The bellows-frame would require a corresponding rabbet to slip snuggly into the face-frame. Kind of a male/female design. The gasket designs could also change. You could even have double-gaskets. It would also change the "look" slightly.
John you seem to have a good grasp of the process of using bellows pins instead of 2 long screws and I have just one added comment. "More work, more cost."
As we can note, the so called high end instruments cost more than what we might call your standard one row accordion built by some builders in La. In calling their instruments standard I also mean traditional and in no way mean to degrade their work. But lets not be detered. If you want it someone can build it. One needs to put his money where his mouth is if he wants the best and as one famous guitar builder once said "not everyone can afford the best". I know the feeling. Ha Ha!!
As for myself, I am in the want business, not the need business.
I am thinking of trying to build a box this year. I know I have the woodworking skills (and the necessary tools). The time to do it is the big thing.
Maybe I'll try rabbeting the frames and using pins, but keeping the two-piece face/bellows frame look.
The whole stop assembly seems to be the most complicated part...then there are the reed blocks...then waxing...then tuning...finishing...etc etc.
Yahoo gas a great group called "boxbuilder" where I can get templates etc. Hey, one step at a time, right?
Like you've said elsewhere, J. R., what's important is to HAVE FUN !
Joh n I made a suggestion ( which I repeated here in another post) that the yahoo box builders group adopt a plan similar to a classical guitar building yahoo group
This group was led by a very fine maker/teacher of calssical guitar ... David Schramm form California
The idea was that everyone build at the same time to the same plans... ideas are shared, failings are shared, techniques are shared, sources are shared, materials are shared and in many cases some offered to do some fo the machine work not possible by others.. David would direct it all and keep everyone on thrack
The idea was to build over several months so as not to rush and allow a sopread of the the expenses
This would be possible withe the box builders group
I offered to assist with machine work and materials
I suspect there is a reason my suggestion and offer was not considered
Perhaps if someone else would suggest it.. it may be adopted
I think it is a reasonable plan
John perhaps you could suggest it to the Yahoo builders group since the principals have chosen not to respond
I proposed this and got nowhere...
I suspect there was a reason..
Had it been someones else's idea it may have flown
My proposal was rather detailed..
I still think it is viable
Maybe you could have a go at making the proposal...
If you don't have a link to S(c)hramm's (sp) yahoo group I can post it
I really think this would be a great way to get a lot of folks into a quality,guided do it yourself project where all benefit from and contribute to
the effort
those who are not prepared to build right away could still participate in the discussion and be better prepared for the next go round
The start date was loosely fixed at Feb-March with a finish date of June-July
If a generous Pro builder wanted to contrubute and with a "pay off" of tuning for a fee at the end of the build... that would be a real boon
As I am not a pro builder .. my participation would be limited to an active and "contibuting" participant
via wood or parts making....
And if someone really wanted to get this project on the map ( ie good press) a supplier of parts. bellows and reeds could offer a group pricing ..
wonder if Greg or Frank would be interested
Time for me to back off my attempting to interject old corp skills and just see where this goes
I see great potential...
and I also see that it would take some desire on the part of some others...
As to who would lead ?
perhaps the owners/managers/moderators of the yahoo group
If I were to choose Pro participants I could not think of any one better than John Roger
Jude Moreau and or Greg Mouton
of course that would be asking a lot
David Schramm builds Classical guitars and Flamenco guitars for a living.. he is also a prfessional classical guitarist and teaches ( professor) classsical guitar
He not only found his project NOT to be a threat to his profession and career but a benefit..looks good on a resume
it takes a special person to do what he did...
hats off to him...
for his time, his generosity and his experience...
dream on
PS seesm the yahoo group as good as it is, could be more directed and actually have a measurable contribution......specific goal orientation..
completed boxes ......
not just the occasional... "I finished mine"
Jeff,
I still don't understand what reason there could be for this not to be taken up if people are interested. Email me off-list if you'd like.
I am still interested in organizing a building week here in VT, perhaps inviting Emanuel Pariselle to teach. It would be expensive, but everyone would leave with a very fine 2 1/2 row box.
-A.