Topsy 3

Bellows and Reservoir

The first stage of building the organ was to make the air supply.  This consists of a double-acting bellows coupled with the wind reservoir.  In the picture, the bottom two sections are the bellows and the third section is the reservoir.

The wheel on the left operates a crank to raise and lower the board, hinged on the right,  between the two bellows so that one fills as the other empties.

The top of the reservoir is hinged on the left.  There are springs pressing down on the right hand end that maintain a steady pressure.

Soft leather is used for the sides and a stiffer leather for the internal valves.  Unfortunately, I did not take any photographs of the interior while I was building  it.