Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > June 2001 > 2001.06.18 > 07Prev  Next


Spoked Wheels & Height of Street Organ Crank
By Craig Smith

Dave asked about the correct height of the crank on a mechanical organ.
Or course, there is no correct height; it depends on the stature of the
person who will be cranking the organ.  And it is _much_ more important
than whether the organ appears an inch or two too tall.  Measure it
somewhat like measuring the height of a bicycle.

As a starting point, stand with your elbow near the pivot of the
handle.  Raise or lower the organ until the pivot of the crank is just
below your elbow.  Then stand (casually upright) behind the organ and
move to the left enough to have the handle clear your body as you turn
the crank.  That will be when the crank is at about the 8 or 9 o'clock
position, viewed from the back of the organ where you are standing.

Now, move the handle to the 4 or 5 o'clock position (not straight
down), where the handle is farthest from your shoulder with your arm
straight.  (Actually, your arm should be slightly bent at a comfortable
angle, maybe 25 degrees.)  Arranged in this way, the handle should fall
between the palm and thumb of your hand if you close your fingers
around it.

Try it, you'll like it.  Believe me, if you have it a couple of inches
too high or too low, your back and arm will soon regret it.

Craig Smith


(Message sent Mon 18 Jun 2001, 14:24:09 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Crank, Height, Organ, Spoked, Street, Wheels

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page