Damon wrote:

> I'm seeking a Beckwith lower bellows assembly (excluding control
> boxes and sustain pedal pneumatic) from 1921, or similar in
> construction.  The one I've got now is a real pain.  I've tested
> it over and over and done everything I could, but it was previously
> repaired by another person, who could have done better.

Damon, don't replace the whole system just because some yutz messed it
up.  You can check the inside flap valves by sucking on the wind trunk
after closing all the other exits.  You should not be able to draw any
air out of the system.  If you can, then the inside flap valves are
leaky.  If the system was restored 10 years ago or more, the bellows
cloth may have broken down and become leaky.  I have found several like
this.  It may not have been the fault of the restorer.

The system is restorable.  You must dismantle it, measure the cloth,
sand or plane off the old cloth, and check the boards for delamina-
tions.  If the boards are bad you can make a new board from Baltic
birch or Finnish birch plywood.  Then shellac the inside surfaces
everywhere except where you will need to glue something (like a new
canvas hinge).  Also put shellac on the inside of the holes through
the boards.

Using fine sandpaper (300-400) and a flat sanding block, sand the area
around the holes where the flap valves will seat.  Replace the flap
valves with new leather and check them for sealing as you did above.
Make sure the flap valves lie perfectly flat.  Recover the feeders
making sure you put back the cardboard stiffeners in the sides (you can
make new ones).  These are there to prevent noisy flapping of the cloth
when pumping.  Recover using Australian bellows cloth from Schaff or
Organ Supply Industries.

The system should work well if you did a good job.  When you pump up
the system the reservoirs should look like they are not going to open.
Some of them take two full minutes to open.  Some take less time, some
more.

If you can bring it to St. Louis I can show you what you need to do.
I do not know where you are in the country.

D. L. Bullock    Piano World    St. Louis