How many of the forum members have had a go at making their own pipes yet ?, where did they get their information from ?, who if anyone has has helped them with their projects, what is their background etc.
How many are yet to own a set of uilleann pipes, please be honest about this one.
I think this would make a great topic, this is how new ideas are born.
DDS.
I bought the Garvin book 30+ (1978-ish) years ago but never took it up. Found out I was allergic to saw dust (really!!! even with a mask) when I took a wood working class at a local high school. At that time, I met Matt Kiernan but never asked for “how tos”.
Started out with lathe turning bodhran tippers in various woods to get the feel of the turning tools, etc.. Eventually made tenor and baritone drones and solid mainstock from Garvin, Bayley, Quinn, Haneman and other sources on internet. They worked (kinda). Nothing like making something to illustrate how much further you have to go! 
Haven’t tackled a chanter as yet, there’s clearly more I need to understand about step-boring, reamer making, reeds,etc.,etc.,etc… Having fun though, maybe one day I’ll apprentice under somebody after retirement.
I look forward to your DVD’s Davey, I think they would be a huge help.
By the end of the month I’ll have a half set in C finished, maybe sooner.
I just started work on some D reamers too, pain in the arse…
I measured my own Bourke chanter with gauges that I made from info that Bill Haneman posted a while back.
Thanks Bill!!!
where did they get their information from ?, who if anyone has has helped them with their projects, what is their background etc.
I got some very useful advice a few friendly pipe makers including yourself Davy. There has been some useful info posted on the “other” forum too.
I’ve been playing pipes for 25+ years so I’ve a fair idea what makes them work. In the last 2 or so years I’ve been making whistles so it was a kind of a natural step to make a set of pipes for myself.
Not sure which is worse for my sanity, playing or making them 
Tommy
I fall into this category. I’m still saving up, hopefully i’ll get my first practice set in the next 4-6 months. I figure i’ll use this time to get better on the whistle and to talk the wife into the concept of having a set of bagpipes in the house (she barely tolerates the whistle and has said in no uncertain terms “NO!!!” whenever i’ve brought up the pipes.)
Sounds like we’ll be seeing you in divorce court soon. Don’t worry, it seems like this has been the fate of many a good piper… Just try to keep your chin up! 
I hope to finish restoring an old Walker Turner wood lathe this winter and begin making a set of drones. I’ll use my existing ½ set for measurements. If the tenor drone comes out ok, I’ll proceed to the baritone and base drones. If the drones sound as good as my existing set, I’ll try to make a chanter using my existing chanter as a model. If the drones sound like crap…….well it will be the middle of winter…. I’ll have kindling for the fireplace.
I’ve developed a general set of woodworking skills in pursuit of woodworking as a hobby. I’ve picked up leather/metal working skills by trial and error making bellows. I’m finding skills/techniques specific to pipemaking mostly on line. Davy’s site has been most helpful (specifically long hole boring/ferrule making/reedmaking/tube bending) as has information from Bill Haneman and one or two other’s who have posted explanations and pictures of a particular technique.
Jim
Tommy, that’s brilliant! Let us know how they turn out.
No E
So I´ve been trying to make my own instrument since I was 12 the instruments in question were a Sikus (andean panflute) and a Quena, with some success, then i played recorder and armonica, then started to make whistles six years ago, then I made my first experience with long boring toolmaking, making a galician gaita, and four years ago my own practice set, by now I´m making a set of drones with a hollow stock.
My inspirational and technical support was David Daye, Chris Bayley, Bill Haneman, Chris Eyre (in the matter of leather bags), Davy Stephenson, my father, who´s a wood and metal turner among many other things, and made himself my lathe.
I learnt to read and study plans, take measurements and all what envolves at the age of 15, at an airmodel hobbist, where I repared RC choppers and other planes. First musician of my family.
Well, my background is very diverse, I´ve learnt a little at each corner. 