Renfrew Historical Society
Calliope Progress Report
Pictures below are of the main pipe chest and pipe pallets
Pictures above show the music roll spool frame with a music roll installed in the calliope
Following Pictures are of the restoration which began
Jan 2021
Following Pictures are of the restoration which began
Jan 2021
Jan 17 2021 Good progress being made on the disassembly of the various components and ordering in several specality parts for the restoration including new rubber spool frame drive belt and a spare.
Another busy week of Jan 23/21. includes rewiring the entire instrument. Once all of the parts were out I could examine the electrical wiring and found all of the wiring to have it's interior covering falling off leaving many section completely exposed including in the blower motor so all new wiring was installed and also everything is now a 3 wire system, grounded.
Spool frame restoration was started with the restoration of the Play/ Rewind pneumatic system which has two pneumatic bellows and both bellows cloth was split. Many smaller items needed attention as the usual picture progress report will show.
Spool frame restoration was started with the restoration of the Play/ Rewind pneumatic system which has two pneumatic bellows and both bellows cloth was split. Many smaller items needed attention as the usual picture progress report will show.
January 30 2021 ; Spool frame is now restored and retubed with new tubing. I found two errors in the tubing which would allow two pipes to play together incorrect notes ie a G&D instead of G & G. Also several errors in the coupling of the bass notes.
Next item presently being worked on is the primary chest which "Reads" the paper music roll via the tracker bar.
Next item presently being worked on is the primary chest which "Reads" the paper music roll via the tracker bar.
Feb 8 2021 work continues with the restoration of the primary and secondary valve boxes. As you can see originally the tubing was held in place by simply drilling a hole in the valve box and plugging the pneumatic tube in, unfortunately many of the tubes had fallen out or become loose in their hole which allowed air to enter the system causing unwanted note to play for apparently no reason. I am sure the previous restorer had many problems but never realized what the actual problem was.
I have replaced these "Holes" bu drilling then plugging the new size hole with hard wood dowels then re-drilling the dowels the correct size to install all brass nipples and elbows. Now all pneimatic tubes will be installed correctly and not likely to ever leak or fall off again.
I have replaced these "Holes" bu drilling then plugging the new size hole with hard wood dowels then re-drilling the dowels the correct size to install all brass nipples and elbows. Now all pneimatic tubes will be installed correctly and not likely to ever leak or fall off again.
Feb 15 2021 moving now onto the keyboard and it's tubing as well as the leather seats which control the hand playing of the instrument. I also began to organize the tubing for the entire instrumet so it is tubed as an instrument would of been if it had originally be built as an automically played & Hand played instrument instead of being built as a hand played instrument and the player system added in later.
Feb 21/21 Another busy week as work now moves on the the actual pipe chest valve restoration, testing etc. I purchased two new music roll frame drive belts as the original was showing many cracks and wear, this will give you a spare.
March 1 2021 progress continues with the pipe chest finally closed and ready for testing and completion of the tubing of the instrument.
I found about 15 of the 44 brass whistles not working and the balance appear to have been worked on to perhaps lower their speaking volume which is not possible with this style of pipe which is completely different then a standard organ pipe. I will now revoice to the wind pressure of this instrument the pipes and repair the balance of damaged pipes.
I found about 15 of the 44 brass whistles not working and the balance appear to have been worked on to perhaps lower their speaking volume which is not possible with this style of pipe which is completely different then a standard organ pipe. I will now revoice to the wind pressure of this instrument the pipes and repair the balance of damaged pipes.
March 15 2021 The tubing of the instrument is now completed. It is now tubed the way it should of been if it was to be both hand played and also able to play a music roll which has greatly simplified the lay out. Now it is making the system work using the home made pneumatics that came with the instrument. The instrument had two sets of home made pneumatics but a no original ones which were made of hard wood and these are all made of pine or soft wood. There is absolutely no way these would of ever worked and must of driven the previous restorer crazy to try to problem solve such a system.
The last weeks have been spent making a new relay box, The old one had been completely plugged over the years with sealants because of a crack in the wood itself so notes 16, 18, & 20 have not played for a very long time. Also a special lacquer stripper finally arrived to remove the cadmium lacquer that had been sprayed on the brass pipes to keep them shiny. I Then was able to clean the pipes with Brasso. I will leave the pipes bare so you can continue to clean by hand or even buff on a polisher if you decide to repaint the cabinet. Each pipes tuning stopper was removed and repaired or replaced as you can see sitting on the top of each pipe ready for tuning to A440. I use an app on my smart phone that I will show you when you come to pick up the instrument.
April 2 2021
April 2 2021
I am very pleased to announce that the restoration of the BURWELL Calliope was completed April 14 2021.
I have attached two Youtube videos of the instrument playing.
I have attached two Youtube videos of the instrument playing.
I am very please to announce that the restoration work was completed April 14 2021II
and have made two Youtube videos for a littler performance
and have made two Youtube videos for a littler performance
