Hello all!

Would it be possible for one of our expert restoration folks to explain
in text form how one goes about making replacement 'pillow pouches'; or
perhaps supply a reference where I could find the procedure? These
pouches are found in a lot of European orchestrions, and I need to
figure out how to replace them for my Phillips.

For those unfamiliar with the term, it refers to a design of leather
valve-pouch formed in rectangular pillow-fashion, just as the name
would indicate (I believe they're called 'puffers' in England). They
look just like teeny 'pillow cases', with both ends sealed. There is a
hole in the center of one face to communicate with the valve output.
The valve lifter button sits on the opposite face which, of course,
doesn't have a hole.

They have a small punching 'ring' surrounding the hole, made of thin
card stock or thin leather, which is where the puffer is glued down to
the stack.  They have quite a lot of 'lift' considering their small
size.

The puffers on the Phillips are formed with the open ends folded over
and glued underneath, but I've also seen them with the end openings
simply glued shut and not folded. Does it matter?

I've figured out a way to make them, though I don't know if it would
produce identical copies. I assume there must be a way of using a teeny
'template' or jig for cutting the leather and folding/glueing it
together. Also, how to you keep from getting glue all over the inside
of the puffer - how are they made soooo neatly?? I suppose I'll have to
waste a bit of precious pouch leather experimenting, but I'd like to
know the 'proper' method first. I realize this is difficult to explain
without the benefit of illustrations, but I'd sure appreciate it if one
of the pros would give it a go!!

Thank You very much in advance!

Ron Yost <ryost@fix.net>¶
646 Bolen Dr.¶
Paso Robles, CA 93446 U.S.A.