I am rebuilding the player unit on my 116-note Aeolian pipe organ.
Since I have never done one of these before, and since someone rebuilt
parts of the player many years ago, I have no original pattern to go
by.

This unit works on pressure at 3-1/2 inches.  At that low pressure
a double valve roll reader is required.  For the reader to operate
correctly, it is necessary that I follow the original design very
closely.  Of particular interest to me is the primary pouch and valve
stem assembly.

If anyone has experience with this type of player, could you please
verify several items for me.  These items are not original in my unit.

1.  What is the pouch material?

2.  What connects the pouch to the valve stem--is it a lifter disk
or leather nut or both?

3.  What is the diameter of the lifter disk or leather nut?
If it is a leather nut, is it glued to the pouch?

4.  What is the valve gap?

5.  What is the mating surface on the inside (bottom) valve?
Is it the small cone directly mating on the adjustable brass seat?

As most experienced rebuilders know, I have a real challenge on my
hands having no original specs to go by.  The low operating pressure of
the unit allows almost no tolerance in dimensional changes occasioned
by inaccurate rebuilding.  After the unit was last rebuilt it never
operated correctly.

I have identified one major error in that rebuild which rendered the
player almost useless.  The primary valve stems had some form of upper
guide strip.  I assume it was originally a celluloid strip.   That
strip has been replaced.  Unfortunately the rebuilder didn't realize
that the strip was more than just a guide.  It also forms the top seal
of the drilled air passage from the primary valve going to the
secondary actuator.  When that rebuilder removed the old celluloid, the
wood below was deeply gouged.  The gouges were not repaired, and under
the new plastic guide strip, all primary valve channels were connected,
via the gouges!

I know this is a odd request, but if anyone could supply the
information, I would be very appreciative.

Bob Taylor