CJ Dixon Bellows Kit Review

Uilleann Pipes
1

The following is a review of the CJ Dixon Bellows Kit.

The kit comprises all the components required to assemble a working bellows for the Uilleann pipes. Almost everything required to assemble the bellows is provided and the buyer only really needs a few simple tools to get the job done.

The instructions are easy to follow and it was a real joy to work on. If you’ve never put a bellows together, then this is the perfect learning activity.

Having put up with an ailing bellows for far too long, I can only say that the completed bellows came as welcome relief to my ‘bellowsing challenges’. Upon completion I could tell immediately, without even trying it out on my pipes, that this was what I had been looking for in a replacement bellows. The action is very smooth and the volume of air delivered is markedly more than my previous bellows could manage.

They are attractive in appearance with oak clappers and black leather. An elbow pad is included and the hinge is leather which adds flexibility to the pumping action. Fittings such as blowpipe connector are of polished brass.

The waist and arm straps are, unconventionally, made of webbing although I replaced the waist strap with my old leather strap which fit without any hassle. This was simply because I like my old leather waist strap; I have no problem at all with the functionality of the webbing straps. The arm strap can be kept buckled and the arm slipped in and out by simply loosening the tension by pulling the whole buckle back over towards the front of the bellows – in other words, strapping in and escaping again is quick and simple with no need to unbuckle.

CJ Dixon has been open to suggestions in his endeavour to provide a top-notch product. All in all, this has been a most satisfying purchase and I can’t wait to put my bellows to good use. CJ Dixon has an excellent and friendly business manner and is easy to communicate with. Problems (in my case, concerns about lost packages) were handled professionally and promptly. My new bellows can only benefit my piping and I look forward to greater efficiency of air delivery– something that has been lacking from my set for too long. I will have no hesitation in ordering more parts from CJ Dixon to refurbish my old bellows as a backup.

This review is totally of my own initiative and I am in no way financially or otherwise connected to CJ Dixon and his pipemaking venture, nor have I received or will receive any favours in return for this review.

David Goldsworthy

2

This is the first review I’ve read of CJ’s bellows kit. Good to hear that it gets the thumbs-up.

For a while now I’ve been trying to expand the size of our pipers club and the main obstacle is the cost of pipes, even practice sets. Kudos to Chris for the innovation he has shown in helping to put quality products within the reach of beginners.

3

I also just completed assembling a C.J. Dixon bellows kit and echo all the above comments. Assembly required only a moderate level of skill and was easily accomplished over the course of a weekend. Chris happily granted my request to send the wood paddles un-finished so that I could stain them a mahogany color prior to assembly. A photo of the finished bellows (against a green background) may be seen on Chris’s website.

4

I too recently put one together. Materials, turnaround time, instructions and customer service were all excellent. Only gripe I had was those darn wierd Canadian square-head screws. Can’t find a driver for 'em in these parts, and I’m only a couple hours away from Canada. I swapped out the screws and it was completed successfully within a couple evenings. It is a joy to use.

5

CJ has informed me that he will be providing slot-head screws in future.

Cheers,

DavidG

6

Like I said, his customer service is great. I can’t wait for his chanter.

7

Ausdag wrote:
CJ has informed me that he will be providing slot-head screws in future.

After some thought, I believe I will be supplying a Robertson screwdriver with the kit instead of slot screws. Robertson screws are much easier for assembly, as well it decreases the chance of “slipping” and scratching the nice brass :slight_smile:

Cheers,
CJ

8

I think it looks nicer too. The slots don’t always line up right and look a bit sloppy.

9

I am currently offering a promotional sale on these kits to further entice those who are riding the “should I pipe?” fence to take the plunge!

Cheers,
CJ