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Building a New Console for Myself

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dw154515

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostWed Jan 08, 2020 7:37 pm

A small amount of work has been done recently. Here are some interesting things I've learned along the way that hopefully someone will find useful - they were certainly new to me.

I used my CNC machine to make the piston rails for each manual. I used 3/4" thick stock, and had it route channels for all the wiring, while leaving the bottom 3/4" thick to make it more rigid. And I used my wifes Cricut machine to make the labels, which seems to have worked out rather well.
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The pistons are lighted, but I made a mistake when ordering my mddp128 from MGB. It is on its way back to him to be redone. I had him do a custom firmware that ended up being unnecessary, so he's nice enough to swap it back for me. You'll notice a couple missing from one of the manuals - as the lamps were DOA. So they have since been replaced.

This is an adapter board that I had made to convert the FFC (flat flexible cable) from my Fatars. I had made by a company called Bay Area Circuits. https://bayareacircuits.com/ . They have a nifty schematic drawing application that will convert to PCB and you can order directly through the software and they will make the board and ship it to you. No components are attached, so you have to do that part yourself.

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I also learned that if you have a Fatar keyboard, if you're using the MGB hwce2x encoder, you can get either their sm-df or sm-dr cable to work properly if you use their UpSet.exe utility to actually change the Scan Matrix - it will to go either way. Each Scan Matrix is independently assignable - which is great for me, since I have 2 different configurations of Fatars at play here. At first I thought I was going to have to order all new adapter cables because my notes were all playing out of order, but Jordan informed me that this can be remedied by using that config program. And indeed, it works great now.

I am hoping to have the "table top" done within the month.
Drew A. Worthen
Master of Music in Composition - Butler University
http://www.drewworthen.com
Director of Music & Website Admin - Greenwood UMC
http://www.greenwoodumc.org
Design Engineer - American Sound and Electronics - Indy
https://americansound.cc/
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jbkw

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostThu Feb 06, 2020 11:24 am

Hey this is looking great.
I would ask you about making some keycheeks for me but I'm in the UK so I imagine shipping would make that impossible! Please can I ask what make/type of thumb pistons you are using?
Thanks, James
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engrssc

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostThu Feb 06, 2020 11:57 am

dw154515 wrote:And I used my wifes Cricut machine to make the labels, which seems to have worked out rather well.


While exploring, found an adhesive backed clear printable (either) vinyl or polypropylene material which can be laminated.

As well, printed and cut with a Cricut Explore One. Wonder how easily these labels could be removed if there was a change in plan?

Rgds,
Ed
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dw154515

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostSat Feb 08, 2020 6:06 pm

Sorry, Gentlemen just now seeing this...

jbkw wrote:Hey this is looking great.
I would ask you about making some keycheeks for me but I'm in the UK so I imagine shipping would make that impossible! Please can I ask what make/type of thumb pistons you are using?
Thanks, James


Yes, shipping would probably be high, but we can maybe work something out. You'd likely do better contacting someone locally.

The pistons are these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10Ea-JAE-NOS-Lighted-Blank-Organ-Thumb-Pistons-from-Rodgers-Price-Special-Now/264250935401

engrssc wrote:
dw154515 wrote:And I used my wifes Cricut machine to make the labels, which seems to have worked out rather well.


While exploring, found an adhesive backed clear printable (either) vinyl or polypropylene material which can be laminated.

As well, printed and cut with a Cricut Explore One. Wonder how easily these labels could be removed if there was a change in plan?

Rgds,
Ed


These are easily removable. I can't speak to longevity yet, as I've not started using them but I think they will suffice for my needs. Definitely not a "permanent" option, though.
Drew A. Worthen
Master of Music in Composition - Butler University
http://www.drewworthen.com
Director of Music & Website Admin - Greenwood UMC
http://www.greenwoodumc.org
Design Engineer - American Sound and Electronics - Indy
https://americansound.cc/
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engrssc

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostSat Feb 08, 2020 7:23 pm

dw154515 wrote:The pistons are these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10Ea-JAE-NOS-Lighted-Blank-Organ-Thumb-Pistons-from-Rodgers-Price-Special-Now/264250935401

These are easily removable. I can't speak to longevity yet, as I've not started using them but I think they will suffice for my needs. Definitely not a "permanent" option, though.


Those are pistons (from a Rodgers sell out when Rodgers was bought by the parent company of Johannes) that I have used for several organ rebuilds. Quite easy to change from the 5 volt incond lamps to LEDs which give you several options. One being to be able to use coloured LEDs on some pistons denoting function per manual/division. Never need replacing is another as well as flashing which I use to 'remind' the organist that they are using transposition for instance.

Rgds,
Ed
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dw154515

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostSun Feb 09, 2020 3:18 pm

engrssc wrote:
dw154515 wrote:The pistons are these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10Ea-JAE-NOS-Lighted-Blank-Organ-Thumb-Pistons-from-Rodgers-Price-Special-Now/264250935401

These are easily removable. I can't speak to longevity yet, as I've not started using them but I think they will suffice for my needs. Definitely not a "permanent" option, though.


Those are pistons (from a Rodgers sell out when Rodgers was bought by the parent company of Johannes) that I have used for several organ rebuilds. Quite easy to change from the 5 volt incond lamps to LEDs which give you several options. One being to be able to use coloured LEDs on some pistons denoting function per manual/division. Never need replacing is another as well as flashing which I use to 'remind' the organist that they are using transposition for instance.

Rgds,
Ed


How are you taking them apart?
Drew A. Worthen
Master of Music in Composition - Butler University
http://www.drewworthen.com
Director of Music & Website Admin - Greenwood UMC
http://www.greenwoodumc.org
Design Engineer - American Sound and Electronics - Indy
https://americansound.cc/
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engrssc

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostSun Feb 09, 2020 5:43 pm

On the back (black connect side) near the outside edge are (180 degrees apart)) two indents. I use 2 small thin screw drivers, press each down approx 1/4" and apply a slight force toward the center of the piston. This will release the white movable button exposing the inside lamp and contacts. Be prepared to contain the white button and the spring. You'll notice the spring top/bottom orientation as far as narrow tapered end nearest toward the lamp.

The white button also has an orientation for the contact alignment. Once the button and spring have "popped out", you'll see the incandescent 5 VDC lamp. The lamp leads are fastened (glued) to the black piece. If you want to save the lamps as I did, the lamp leads can be forced (along with the lamp itself) out of the black housing by forcing the leads back into the black housing. Then using a small needle nose pliers to finish pulling back.

I actually fabricated a tool to do this.by drilling a small diameter hole (very slightly larger than the lead diameter) into a piece of (1/4") round aluminum rod. The depth of this small hole approx 1/16", just enough to push the lamp lead back into the black housing. It takes a little force to do this as the lead wires are fairly well attached to the black housing. if you don't wish to save the lamps (they are not readily available) you can of course just crush the lamp with a needle nose pliers and forcefully pull the lamp's leads out of the black housing. destroying the incond lamp.

The leads of a replacement LED can go thru the holes formerly used by the incond lamp.With the MGR2/LITSW boards from MIDI Hardware, both the switch common and the lamp common are negative. So there is one negative common, one switch lead, and one lamp lead, 3 connections per piston.

I used 3mm either clear white or (for some pistons) colored LEDs.

A further advantage of using LEDs, to me, the 'look' to be more modern. You can add a LED dimmer circuit to control the brightness either with other LED (music rack, under the keydesk) lighting or separately. All this is is a little extra work, but in my case, thought it worthwhile. As is sometimes said - 'hope that helps.'

BTW, mother nature just did a dump of that white stuff that will need to be shoveled. :roll:

Rgds,
Ed
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engrssc

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostSun Feb 09, 2020 7:45 pm

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dw154515

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostSun Feb 09, 2020 9:03 pm

How interesting.....
Drew A. Worthen
Master of Music in Composition - Butler University
http://www.drewworthen.com
Director of Music & Website Admin - Greenwood UMC
http://www.greenwoodumc.org
Design Engineer - American Sound and Electronics - Indy
https://americansound.cc/
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engrssc

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostSun Feb 09, 2020 10:27 pm

I found if you decide (commit) to do this re-do LED procedure, it's best to do all pistons in a production style method. In other words, do one step at a time to all of them. Have a separate container for the white buttons, a separate container for the springs, etc. A helpful "tool" is a small vise that has a horizontal "centering" groove that can grip the (inverted) piston's flange. The option is to have three hands., i.e. one hand to hold the piston and one hand for each screw driver to release the white button. The process may seem long and involved, but it's not too difficult once you get "the hang" of it. Actually, it became repetitively boring. :wink: Good chance to listen to some music such as

https://www.classicalradio.com/#default or

https://www.organlive.com/

I'm guessing that course I took (a long time ago) in Methods Engineering can be useful at times. 8)

Rgds,
Ed
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dw154515

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostMon Aug 31, 2020 9:22 pm

So, it has been a while since I posted any updates on this. I finally got it in the house - I had to wait to find my "old" console a new home. Now that my original "Franken-Organ" is happily relocated, I've been able to finish getting this one in the house.

I made the base frame from 2" steel square tubing, and welded it together and painted it black. The heavy duty casters make it so this thing can be pushed around with 2 fingers - making it SOOOO much easier to deal with. Working on it, and cleaning around it is now a snap! And the brakes are absolutely SOLID when you need it to sit still.

Since I started this project, I also started about 3 others - the Hauptwerk organ at GUMC got all new Fatar manuals and new pistons, so that took priority #1, but I also started building an ACTUAL PIPE ORGAN! More info on that will come later and on a different site, since it has nothing to do with Hauptwerk.

All that's left is figuring out how I want to mount the touch screens. I think I will do some sort of wood case/bezel type thing. It's not really at the top of my "to do" list at the moment. I've found myself not even missing have Hauptwerk in my house, since the church is just 5 mins away.....

Anyhoo, if this is of any help to anyone, I'm always willing to share my plans/details for others to copy and use.

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Drew A. Worthen
Master of Music in Composition - Butler University
http://www.drewworthen.com
Director of Music & Website Admin - Greenwood UMC
http://www.greenwoodumc.org
Design Engineer - American Sound and Electronics - Indy
https://americansound.cc/
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voet

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostTue Sep 01, 2020 7:27 am

You did a beautiful job, Drew. Thanks for sharing your progress.

Bill
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engrssc

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostTue Sep 01, 2020 7:33 am

Which touch screens are you planning? Computer specs?

Rgds,
Ec
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dw154515

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostWed Sep 02, 2020 1:23 pm

engrssc wrote:Which touch screens are you planning? Computer specs?

Rgds,
Ec


I am reusing my original Hauptwerk computer from several years ago.

I plan on using Planar touch screens (the same ones I used at GUMC).

https://www.planar.com/products/desktop-touch-screen-monitors/24-inch/pct2435/
Drew A. Worthen
Master of Music in Composition - Butler University
http://www.drewworthen.com
Director of Music & Website Admin - Greenwood UMC
http://www.greenwoodumc.org
Design Engineer - American Sound and Electronics - Indy
https://americansound.cc/
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dw154515

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Re: Building a New Console for Myself

PostThu Jan 07, 2021 11:32 pm

Finally getting back to work on this after pushing it to the back-burner for quite a while. I took on the rebuilding of a small Wicks pipe organ (info can be found here: https://www.greenwoodumc.org/post/chapel-gets-a-new-pipe-organ if you're interested.

I took the couple of weeks off work recently and was able to get all of this thing wired. I also built the music rack for it a day or two ago, and am hoping to get around to building the "base" for it to attach about the 5th manual. I also figured out how to CNC aluminum "mounts" to hold the piston rails to the Fatar keybeds. Having a CNC machine is God-send!

"Tabs" to hold the piston rails onto the keybeds.
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Carving the pocket into the music tray for the LED music lights.
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Complete!
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This was my first time veneering plywood. I think it turned out rather well! Rather than try to make this out of a piece of 1.5" thick Maple, I decided to do it out of two 3/4" thick pieces of plywood - then glued the two pieces together - since its so cheap, I already had a bunch of it.
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Drew A. Worthen
Master of Music in Composition - Butler University
http://www.drewworthen.com
Director of Music & Website Admin - Greenwood UMC
http://www.greenwoodumc.org
Design Engineer - American Sound and Electronics - Indy
https://americansound.cc/
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