Reed Block Construction

[Ryan C.]

Hello
I am a intermediate to advanced Irish Button Accordion player, and am trying to get into building accordions
I fully understand how to wax and tune the reeds separately, but I don't have the slightest idea of how I should go about constructing the reed blocks themselves.
I was thinking of making a one row melodeon with four voices (two trebles, a bassoon and a piccolo), out of either the BlueStar or A Mano Voci Armoniche reeds
If you have any resources/ can teach me how to build reeds blocks, that would be more than amazing.
Thanks,
Ryan C.

 

[colinm]

Copy some from an accordion that you like the sound of.

 

[debra]

Making a reed block by copying the measurements of an existing block is a start. However, the choice of different woods for the base of the block, the center wall and the other parts is a closely guarded secret by accordion makers. If you make everything from the same type of wood the block may more easily warp over time than when different woods are combined that try to counteract each other's tendency to warping due to moisture, temperature and age. The choice of wood is more important than exact dimensions. The dimensions influence the sound (some reed blocks are more rectangular and some more trapezoidal, resulting in a different sound). The material is less important as long as it is pretty solid (conductive for vibrations) and stable (not warping over time).

 

[tcabot]

If you're talking design - you'll have to figure out for yourself as there's more opinions than people.

For actually making them, easiest thing is to cut them by laser in 6mm plywood and glue up.
Cut your fondo at the same time from the same design plans, so everything lines up perfectly.

Afaik there's no resources on melodeon making. The only things I found were Soviet books from 1930s with lots of errors in them - barely usable even if you can read Russian.

I'm likely to have some time this summer to offer some consulting services over a videocall if you're very keen to get building. I'm just finishing my first 2-row box, but I've been a guitar and mandolin luthier for a decade, so plenty of experience to share. A lot of my own practical solutions to scratch squeezebox building challenges too.
Your alternative is to find a one-row building course and attend in person.

Also I wouldn't start with a 4-voice. 3-voice for a one-row or 2-voice for a 2-row would be my advice to keep things simpler.

 

[Mike t.]

If you're talking design - you'll have to figure out for yourself as there's more opinions than people.

For actually making them, easiest thing is to cut them by laser in 6mm plywood and glue up.
Cut your fondo at the same time from the same design plans, so everything lines up perfectly.

Afaik there's no resources on melodeon making. The only things I found were Soviet books from 1930s with lots of errors in them - barely usable even if you can read Russian.

I'm likely to have some time this summer to offer some consulting services over a videocall if you're very keen to get building. I'm just finishing my first 2-row box, but I've been a guitar and mandolin luthier for a decade, so plenty of experience to share. A lot of my own practical solutions to scratch squeezebox building challenges too.
Your alternative is to find a one-row building course and attend in person.

Also I wouldn't start with a 4-voice. 3-voice for a one-row or 2-voice for a 2-row would be my advice to keep things simpler.

A fellow builder friend of mine, not a machinist but very crafty and with some pricey toys, “tools” cnc milling machine, ShopBot cnc wood router, lathes, cnc plasma cutter, and a 90 watt? cnc laser that has an envelope of about 17” x 24”? I have been truly impressed by what can be cut so cleanly with the laser. While visiting him last week I noticed there were fabric scraps on the laser. He had been cutting quilting patterns for his wife, perfect circles, no fraying. I’ve seen 1/4” Baltic birch plywood cut, acrylic, different types of foam, cut by the laser and it does a beautiful job. The edges were black on the wood, but very clean lines, a person, making prototype parts could really test things out using some of the high density foams before making wooden parts.
I’m more old school, having retired from only using conventional machine shop tools and owning no cnc machine except for a 3D Printer. I have been amazed at what can be fabricated with a cnc laser.

 

[tcabot]

I don't own a CNC machine, or laser or 3d printer - these days you can do your own designs and send them off to get done on pro-grade machinery that will be much better than what you can fit into a small garage workshop. But a router table is a necessity.