Restoring a North Tonawanda Pressure pump, Vacuum Pump and replacing all the Wurlitzer Valves with new

units built in house. These pumps where previously restored in 1985. There where LOTS of mistakes and shortcuts done what hindered the pump from operating correctly as noted in the following pictures.

 
Pictures of the Organ and the pumps that where removed.

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THE RESTORATION:

Concerns are noted on pictures. Photos are in random order.

• Rope hinge was previously replaced with a thick piece of leather. This will not last! Both of the bellows had one split hinge. This method does work but not for long. Rope hinge was previously replaced with a thick piece of leather. This will not last! Both of the bellows had one split hinge. This method does work but not for long.
• Another common but bad idea is using Picture Matting for Ribs/Stiffeners. This is what they will look like in a short while. NEVER USE THIS MATERIAL! Again, it will work but for a short time. Another common but bad idea is using Picture Matting for Ribs/Stiffeners. This is what they will look like in a short while. NEVER USE THIS MATERIAL! Again, it will work but for a short time.
• This is a picture of the Vacuum pump hinges that was previously rebuilt with the rope. Its still in tact. Although it will be replaced during the restoration process. This is a picture of the Vacuum pump hinges that was previously rebuilt with the rope. Its still in tact. Although it will be replaced during the restoration process.
• Flaps on movable board where installed not utilizing the original springs. This will be corrected. Also the flap has a piece of cardboard glued to it meant to be used as a stiffener that had warped in the center and now flap will not lay flat. Flaps on movable board where installed not utilizing the original springs. This will be corrected. Also the flap has a piece of cardboard glued to it meant to be used as a stiffener that had warped in the center and now flap will not lay flat.
• Hinge was damaged. Here you see the repair. Hinge was damaged. Here you see the repair.
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• Center board cracking at the seams that had to be repaired. Center board cracking at the seams that had to be repaired.
• Reservoir frame was cut in many separate pieces unnecessarily. Joints will be cleaned and glued back together.Note: RMR has rib material made to my specs. And also have available, the original red press board. At RMR we use the best materials available that meet or exceed the original design. Reservoir frame was cut in many separate pieces unnecessarily. Joints will be cleaned and glued back together.Note: RMR has rib material made to my specs. And also have available, the original red press board. At RMR we use the best materials available that meet or exceed the original design.
• Before and after of the flap on the center board using springs like it was originally. Before and after of the flap on the center board using springs like it was originally.
• Completed hinge "the correct way" Completed hinge "the correct way"
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• Ribs installed. Notice the old ribs made of picture matting. This happens every time. Don't let anyone tell you different! Ribs installed. Notice the old ribs made of picture matting. This happens every time. Don't let anyone tell you different!
• Building a couple of new fingers. Building a couple of new fingers.
• COMPLETED COMPLETED
• Before & After of completed stack with new Wurlitzer valves built by us. Before & After of completed stack with new Wurlitzer valves built by us.
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• Vacuum pump taken apart and being prepped for re-covering. Vacuum pump taken apart and being prepped for re-covering.
• In the process of covering one bellow. In the process of covering one bellow.
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• One down ,one to go. One down ,one to go.
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• The output tube for the vacuum pump. After cleaning noticed the seam was not soldered and was leaking. The right picture it was repaired. The output tube for the vacuum pump. After cleaning noticed the seam was not soldered and was leaking. The right picture it was repaired.
• Notice there are no tacks. When done correctly with the right materials tacks are never needed. "In my opinion" Notice there are no tacks. When done correctly with the right materials tacks are never needed. "In my opinion"
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• Movable board for the Vacuum pump ready to attach. Movable board for the Vacuum pump ready to attach.
• Ready to cover Ready to cover
• These are the valve housings for the Vacuum pump. The boards are cracked and not sealing correctly. I will cut off the tops and replace. These are the valve housings for the Vacuum pump. The boards are cracked and not sealing correctly. I will cut off the tops and replace.
• Here are the frames after cutting tops off. Here are the frames after cutting tops off.
• Tops installed. Tops installed.
• COMPLETED VALVE! Better than original. COMPLETED VALVE! Better than original.
• New external valve flaps for the Vacuum pump with new springs. New external valve flaps for the Vacuum pump with new springs.
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COMPLETED:

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