Hi,
Anyone using a “flap valve” on the bottom of their chanter? What is your opinion on its use (both positive and negative)?
I am considering one but not sure who makes them in the uk.
Has anyone made their own with some success?
Went to see the late Leon Rowsome some years ago (god bless him) and he used his to good effect. I think his son Kevin makes use of one too. I’ve lost count of the number of popping pads I’ve lost in sessions over the years although to be fair it’s generally towards the end of the session and after a few pints.
Mike
I don’t like the idea of adding something else that can go wrong and I find that I can get away without a popping strap anyway
Chris Bayley makes them, either in the Taylor style or simple gravity style.
Brian Howard makes them for his sets.
I have a popping valve on my old Patsy Brown chanter. I like it a lot, although if I’m being honest it’s probably easier to play without one. It takes some getting used to, and is yet another place there air leaks can occur.
On Taylor-style pipes I think they are essential for the ‘feel’ and ‘look’ of the chanter. But I doubt I’d add one to a chanter that is not a Taylor-style chanter.
Rick
even after managing fine for 15 years without it; I’d still quite like to give one a go. 
Yes agree its just one more thing that can foul up: but wondering if this is a detail that has yet to be perfected with modern material & design concepts??? 
I have a popping valve on my Howard chanter. No bother with popping strap. The Howard systems also integrates a tuning ‘Iris’ for tuning soft and hard bottom D notes. Better than a cut up strip from a yoghurt pot
The underside of popping valves are sometimes smooth and shiny so that the chanter moves about arbitrarily (even worse if you wear shiny trousers). A grippy surface, like a piece of baize glued-on might help. Either that or wear some rough leather cowboy chaps!