I have finally completed one finished regulator – the bass, square-bore construction, based on the Garvin book plans, from Honduras Mahogany for the body and teak for the separator. As there is nothing in the book on how to make the separator airtight in the bass bar I used ‘O’ rings as may be seen in the photo. I haven’t made a brass clamp-mount yet as that must wait until I have time to make a new mainstock; the old stock has a simple hinged wood clamp for the bass bar.
The keys are modeled on those seen on the Brennan regulators on David Quinn’s CD, as those have the same profile as the block-mounted keys on the book plans. Keys have been the most difficult part of regulator making for me; I’ve made them here with separate tab-saddles soldered on, with the tabs bent via jeweler’s bends as I don’t know how to calculate full bends (all the info I’ve found on the web about sheet metal bends and bend allowance involves maths that I don’t really comprehend).
As I’ve had a few problems with getting the keys right, I will probably replace them in future, with one-piece sawn keys if I can learn how to calculate the bends; I hope I can do so by the time I’m able to work on the baritone and tenor. The only major disadvantage to the multi-part construction is the added weight of this style.
These keys are mounted with coil springs, as the summer has been too hot to bash brass, so I’ll not be trying to make flat springs until the fall.
I chose to make the regulator body similar to the Ned White regulator that was converted from block mounted to flat keys as that was closest to the plans I’m working from; the baritone and tenor will be slightly different, and will be like the Brennan regulators that have the top square with the bottom rounded, rather than the fully turned profile I’ve used here. I needed to go via this fully turned route here in order to gain a practical understanding leading towards the Brennan style construct;ion.
As I have to prepare for my first trip to Europe in September, I’ve run out of time for pipemaking and will not continue until after my return in October.
regards, John
)