I recently decided that my current bellows were insufficient for my needs. Rather than buying some, I decided to make my own, since I’m fortunate to have my own workshop and plenty of power tools.
What a difference! It took me a few days to get everything right, but once I did, I realised how freeing it is to be able to make bellows to your own specs. I wanted to share this and say that if you’re considering making your own, go for it!
They’re not perfect, the leather is a little uneven around the edges, and I’ll eventually replace the cloth belt with a leather one, but they move lots of air without leaking, so I’m happy!
Uh-oh, you realise what you have done? After the success making your bellows, you’ll now find yourself flicking through plans for other musical instruments, and looking out for cheap lathes, saws, leakage detectors, tuning machines, grinders, mills, etc, etc.
Spoken with some authority, made my first flute in 1975, and still going, over 1170 flutes later!
Well, I already have a couple grinders and loads of specialty tools for bladesmithing, another hobby/part-time job, so what’s another shed of flute/uilleann pipe/whistle equipment? Where to build now, that’s the important question…
Where to build or what to build? I think it’s good to build things you can play, so you are able to discern improvements. Duplicating an instrument you already have is a good way in. Or look out for available plans.
I’ve been making a few whistles lately, really just as a learning experience. And I’ve learned heaps. Sigh, 77 years of age, been playing whistle for about 57 years, and only recently got around to making one!
I meant where to build my next workshop. I’m already tied up in making reeds for the foreseeable future. Duplicating instruments is great though, that’s how I started making chanters, using data points from existing plans. I don’t think I’d ever try to make something I couldn’t play!
Usually when I set out to make something, it ends up as a learning experience, and sometimes not much else! That’s what happened last time I tried making a whistle…
Well done. I made a ratty bellows about 15 years ago. Full of leaks. Learned a lot from it. I didn’t have a proper saw, so the paddles were a mess, and the wood was probably too thick. The first gusset I fitted worked for about a week and then I experienced a “blow-out” - the seam failed . Replaced it with a double ply gusset, and it worked. But the result was NOT pretty.
Since then, I haven’t tried to make my own, but I have regussetted several bellows (double ply leather with latex glue between the plies). They’re still going.
. Replaced it with a double ply gusset, and it worked. But the result was NOT pretty.