I have just completed the construction of a J. Smith busker organ.
This is the first I've built.  I was handicapped in that I've never
really seen a street organ before.  However, following John's plans and
looking at pictures of original organs in the AMICA journal, I was able
to complete the task.  Turned out great.  I needed to make a lot of
little adjustments to John's plans as worked progressed.  But that's
part of the fun in building something yourself.

One big modification was the building material.  I used eastern pine
for the pipes, with maple languid and fronts.  Tracker bar was also
made out of maple and polished smooth.  The box and bellows were made
mostly from Baltic birch ply varying from 1/8 to 1/2".  Poplar was also
used.  Leather was used where ever a gasket was needed and medium
bellows cloth for the bellows and feeders.  The organ operates on 6".
Using the optional 7/8" throw for the crankshaft, there is no lack of
wind at this pressure.  If anyone is planning on building one of these,
please feel free to contact me.

Now I'm ready to tackle a Wurlitzer 105.

Jim Quashnock