The Historic District

Here in the Shenandoah valley, cut ash trees sport all kinds of fungal growth in about three month's time.
By through mortise, I mean that you can look at the end of the tenon, not a saddle joint.

Here in the Shenandoah valley, cut ash trees sport all kinds of fungal growth in about three month's time.

If I were to determine that the original finish was a light one, I wouldn't hesitate to remove all the dark stuff. From the snapshots I have seen, I think the original finish was light.
Very often, art nouveau pieces were in light wood, especially the small-framed pieces that are sprightly.
Casey

For exterior work, I would go with "through mortises", because they vent moisture; a blind mortise is a water trap.
Casey

casey, your work is top of the line impressive...always amazed! I orient all slotted screws (we don't use phillips) horizontally for a neat appearance... ......jade You are too kind. These hinge screws were "indexed" from new (that's what having the slots oriented the same way is properly...

Casey, celluloid was a relatively new product when your instrument was made, any thoughts on why celluloid over traditional Ivory? I highly dought they had elephant conservation in mind at the time. You virtually never see a reed organ with ivory after 1881. Celluloid was probably thought of as a m...

Casey, another example of your great work and attention to detail. I noticed you got most of the slots on your fasteners growing in the same direction. How do you get the keys so white, I would expect them to have been ivory? The screws there are in the same direction because those parts get regula...

Making some progress!

I have a friendly group of folks over on FB (about 1250 members) who provide help on restoring reed organs. Reed Organ Tech group.
Casey

We did a big deck with Ipe, and several t&g porch floors. I call it hernia wood. a 16ft deck board is about 80 lbs.