Attention, owners of Cillian Ó Bríain pipes!

Uilleann Pipes
1

Hi all,

I have a set of pipes made in part by Cillian Ó Bríain (was a CÓB half-set, now a mongrel 3/4 set) with a bag made by him about ten years ago. I recently noticed that the pipes were taking quite a bit more air, and sure enough, there turned out to be a number of leaks along the seam. I’ve put a coat of silicone caulking along the seam as a stopgap measure, which will hopefully keep things airtight for the time being, but does anyone know what Cillian used inside his bags? I know he put SOMETHING in there, but I can’t remember what it was now…

2

In 1998 he told me he flushes the bags with latex.

3

Interesting. How is this done? (I’ve recently acquired a bag with one small leak at a very awkward part of the stitching and I’m looking for ways to plug the leak)

4

liquid latex, really good when must have quickly first aid for leakin bag or bellows.

5

Doesn’t liquid latex act as a contact cement ?

Bob

6

I just googled “liquid latex”. You’ve got to be joking!! I thought this was a family-forum!

7

milklike stuff…makes nice “elastic skin” when dry. It’s used when makin theatre masks, effects etc … also tyre repairing pressurecan’s.

8

PJ,it looks good to me. :boggle: :boggle: :boggle:

9

Latex stays very tacky even after it is cured,so to stop the sides of the bag sticking together some talcum powder will have to be put into the bag. If any excess is then left in the bag this can cause problems for the reed. This is why its not used so much anymore.

RORY

10

Only use liquid latex if your applying it to the rough side of the hide. If your bag has the smooth side inwards, then I’d use something else.

11

It’s smooth side in, which is why I wasn’t sure it was latex… Seems to be holding OK with the silicone now, but the thing was frankly a bit ugly to begin with and it doesn’t look any better now… Perhaps this just might be the time to consider a new bag. I know L & M do an Ó Bríain-patterned bag… Anyone know how I would go about getting hold of one?

12

Nope, go take a looksee at the Faqs thread (https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/faq-faq-faq-read-read-read/14196/1) scroll down halfway. Marcus is right - use at yer peril and as Rory points out if you do use it then it needs a good dusting of talc to stop ther sides sticking together which will also find its way into the reeds.

This is the problem with the internet as everyone thinks he is an expert

Only plus side would be if you used a highly perfumed talc to bring a whiff of fragrence to a session in a hot and sweaty pub :smiley:

John