I Shouldn't Be Doing This

Writing a blog entry, that is.  You see, I've got 6 sets of keys (5 arrived unannounced) waiting for me down in the workshop, three more sets are due to arrive any day and....tomorrow it's the historical society in the morning and two tunings in the afternoon.  Thursday another two tunings.  Friday night is the Annual Meeting/Chowder Supper for the historical society and we will be attending.  I think Saturday and Sunday are relatively free.  Monday the dentist, Tuesday a tuning at the high school and a selectman's board meeting at night (where I may have to speak publicly...eeeewwwwww).  Wednesday morning it's out to Thacher Island to retrieve a big part of the reed organ for repairs over the winter.  Thursday another tuning.  Saturday night is the Jim Malcolm concert at the UU Church and Sunday afternoon is the reception for my one person show at the UU's gallery.  Amid all of that I've been finishing up woodwork for my mom and trying to get out for some fun stuff.

Which brings me to this post.

My new not-so-plaything toy.

A Concert Roller Organ!  It needs some repair that I'll get to one of these days (haha) and I'll need to find a really super machinist to repair the crank/shaft where it was broken off with the threaded section left in the handle.  Of course the exterior decals will have to be replaced.

The organ operates by cranking the handle.  Bellows create suction within the unit and the 'cob' (because it looks like one) turns.  The pins on the cob open the little valves that you see above the cob.  Behind each valve is a reed.  When the valve opens, that reed/note plays. 20 notes in all.  I've got 9 cobs!
Just thought I'd share for a few moments.  Now it's back to the workshop and keys, keys, keys.