Hello everyone.  I am more than knee-deep rebuilding a Welte Vorsetzer.
This one had been modified to play both styles of Welte rolls: two
roll-frames, Ampico electric drive motor, and some other creative
modifications.  The pump is done, the upper cabinet and all control
pneumatics and valves are done.

The stacks have been more than fun.  Unfortunately, _all_ pouches and
smallest pneumatics were of Perflex!  Anyway, the stacks are safely
open, two of the three have all signs of Perflex and rubber glues
removed to fresh wood.  The pouches are re-leathered on two of the
stacks.

My question, for those with experience with these, is how best to
align valve stems when re-attaching the pouch boards?

And are there any tricks for running the valve stems through the
leather?  Gently feeding those turned valve stems through the guides
when taking the stacks apart was not overly challenging, but may not
be the best way to re-assemble them...

Another question I am struggling with are the valves themselves.
They were nicely done with neoprene and are still supple and seem to
seal tightly.  I am still on the fence as to whether I should leave
them, or replace them with leather.  Not wanting to stir anything up,
I'd love to get options for or against, and private e-mails are fine.

Andy Struble