I think I may have posted something like this in the past, but what the hey! The pennychanter fella is getting close to selling half sets (chanter with drones) and I’m considering being one of his customers. I’d like to hear horror stories from those who have broken arms, marriages and egos attempting to master the things. If I hear enough bad stuff I’ll save a ton of money on pipes and cures for tendonitis.
Tom.
I’ve played someone else’s practice set and it’s a good thing I can multitask..even so I could barely keep up with all the things you need to remember to do simultaneously.
You might want to poke at the old posts in the Pipes forum, at http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewforum.php?forum=6&5337
Be careful Tom! You are dangerously close to being sucked into the dark side of WhOA! 
Hi Tom,
I own a PC from David Daye, and have had mixed results. Also, his drones are not going to be ready in the forseeable future - per an email I got from him about a week ago on this very subject.
Email me off list if you have specific questions.
The u. pipes are a great instrument, but a different animal entirely from the whistle. Go for it if you truly have the desire!
Brian~
I was really fortunate to have an experienced piper living nearby when I started playing the beast.
Not everyone is so lucky.
I’ve seen people buy Pakistani instruments and the disappointment in their faces when they find out they just blew $600 on firewood.
I’ve seen people trying to hold the chanter like a Boehm flute, with arched fingers; don’t do this if you don’t like pain and frustration.
I’ve seen beginners who made the conversion from Highland pipes struggle with the much easier-blowing uilleann pipe reeds.
Or one of the classic beginner issues: the reed is out of adjustment, beginner is petrified to take the chanter top off, reed gets farther and farther out of adjustment and tune. Not pleasant for anyone around.