In 2011, we acquired roll perforating equipment from Ed Schmidt, who had been re-cutting music rolls for
antique organettes since 1979. After updating the machinery and the program to operated it, we have continued
providing music for these wonderful old devices, as well as re-cutting and arranging new music for 20 note
street organs and larger player reed organs such as the 46 note Aeolian and the Orchestrelle.
Our perforator works on a single punch system drivenby a compressed air cylinder. Both the cylinders
and punchesare interchangeable. Not the fastest way of making rolls, but it is much easier to go from one
format to another, which for our purposes is much more desirable. The mechanism works very much like a
computer printer. The punch moves side to side on a worm drive operated by a stepper motor. The paper
is pulled through by pinch rollers. On the same shaft there are circular trimmers. This makes for accurate
alignment of the music on the roll. Depending on the thickness of the paper up to 4/5 copies can be made at a time
Thumbs Up!
School kids in Piedecuesta, Colombia, enjoying our music. Oscar Nemeth of the Museum of Performing Arts in Catamarca,
Argentina, travels to over South America with his Castlewood Organ entertaining and educating children at schools and events
Links
The Organette Music RepositoryKevin McElhone Mechanical Music
Harold Draper - Fine Organette Restoration and Sales
Zara-Ruzo, Maker of Yankee Doodle Organs
Sunshine Monkeyshine - Organ Grinder with REAL monkeys!
Mechanical Music RADIO - Cranking out the tunes, 24/7
Harold Draper - Fine Organette Restoration and Sales
