Plans are consulted before starting work on a wind chest. Modern computer aided design (CAD) tools are used by the organ buiders, but I was not allowed to take pictures in the design area as they had confidential material visible.Holes are being prepared in a wind chest to recieve the pipe feet.Inside the wind chest we can see the levers which turn the wind on and off, controlled by the keyboard.Wooden pieces are being set up in the paint booth for finishing. The proper finishing of the wood pieces protects them and lengthens their life even though the interior pieces will never be seen except by organ tuners.For shorter and smaller pipes, a rack with felt-lined holes holds the pipes upright. Some of the little flute pipes are smaller than a pencil.Fitting racks together for some larger round pipes. Note the thick, red felt lining.A wind chest is ready for installation into the pipe chamber. The worker probably couldn't lift the chest if all the pipes were installed.The same chest is placed into the chamber of the organ being constructed in the erection area.Instruments are fully assembled at the factory to make sure everything fits and plays together. The instrument is not fully tuned and voiced as that depends on the final installation site.An instrument in the later stages of assemblySome beautiful woodwork. The half-round part was formed by turning an entire circle on a lathe. This piece was formed by cutting the round in half. Imagne what it was like back several centuries before they had modern lathes!The same piece is fitted at the top of the instrument case. The pieces are hoisted with soft cloth strips to avoid damaging the wood or the finish.Another instrument under construction. A small pipe chest is located just in front of the keyboards and pedal board.
