In my opinion, a beautiful bellows inlet valve can be a real ‘cherry on top’ of a set of pipes, and the variance of styles is really interesting to see. So, post up a pic of your bellows valve, and who it’s made by
I’ll start. My Dixon bellows have a valve made by Jim Schaefer, a member here I believe. He made me this valve back in either late 07 or early 08 after the valve that came with my bellows got destroyed; in my clumsiness and in the confined space of my college dorm, I bumped the heavy, thick-aluminum lined lid of my open (bullet proof) pipe case, which fell like a splitting maul and hit the original valve just off of center with enough force to crack it down it’s complete length and splinter off several chunks of the protruding inlet. Fortunately, the pipes were completely unscathed. I approached Jim about ordering a new inlet valve, I loved the look of his in blackwood with the brass triskelion inlay, and he was so generous to send me one free of charge. It’s never given me any trouble, and really matches the aesthetic of my pipes nicely. The brass inlay has been gaining patina over the years as well, and looks terrific. Thanks again Jim!!
You were probably not expecting a reply like this… Back in 2000 when I turned 50 I wanted to do something special. So I got a tattoo. I wanted it to be special and reflect my Irish heritage. I did month of research and found a lovely design on the TARA BROACH http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/images/109images/insular/tara_brooch.jpg So I did a digital image of it and gave it to the tattoo artist thinking I had a one of kind design based on a design done over 1200 years ago. A few years later I saw the same design on T shirt. A couple years after that I saw it on a sewer cover in Dublin.
And now its on an Uilleann Bellows.???
Nice design though. Pardon my old flesh exposure on my arm.
It looks like the third row down from the top could be hiding a series of laterally drilled holes from view. Can’t be certain though, as I don’t have a box of Butler’s to compare it with. Ferrero Rocher look crap as inlet valves, … too lumpy.
Theres a double row of holes that run around the side , a row each side of middle line. Its made of the same stuff as the mounts on the rest of the pipes.
…found this old post and it seems very interesting - hopefully we can see more of what was done before and it doesn’t harm if the whole bellows are in photo to see the actual composition
The inlet valve on my CJ Dixon bellows is rather plain, not ornamented at all. There are horizontal holes (I think about six) around the outside, in addition to the big hole.
Great start Rory Your dangerous bellows looks very interesting and their inlet is like a sculpture.
Does Mark still make the pipes? His pipes were always aestheticaly sweet treat and special.
p.s. I hope the baby crocodile didn’t end up skinless.
