Bagpipes & Bellows |
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Bagpipes & Bellows |
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| I have a certain amount of
experience in close tolerance wood turning and have occasionally
made a couple of different types of bellows blown bagpipes. The process
of making them is actually more akin to the work performed by a
machinist on a metal lathe and that is the type of lathe primarily
used in their manufacture. My pipes and I were lucky enough to be chosen
to be in the 1999 coffee table book entitled "Hearts and
Hands-Musical Instrument Makers of America." Currently, I specialize in the making of bellows used to power many different types of bellows driven bagpipes. I also offer reed gouges that I personally sharpen to the high standard of my carving chisels. I also offer cherry wood shooting blocks and a real nice uilleann bagpipe common stock for those interested in putting together their own set. |
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Click
here for Bellows Arm Strap Adjustment Click here for Bellows Testimonials |
Click
here for Scottish Smallpipes Click here for Reed Making Tools Click here for Projects
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Irish uilleann pipe bellows If you want to own only one bellows, this would be the one to consider. |
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First 3 pictures show the front, side & back views of my large capacity, Irish uilleann bagpipe bellows. The next picture depicts both ends of the flexible connecting hose The second to the last picture is of the silicon bronze sleeve guard. Beneath it is the brass valve flange and black Delrin valve holder. The last picture is of the hand cast silicon bronze name/hinge plate. All of the features pictured above are unique to my bellows. Please see detailed description below. |
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Bellows construction and material. Pads, straps & buckles The pads are made from a black, woven man made fleece that is primarily used for saddle and harness padding applications. The elbow pad is a three part pad with inner cushion and the body is a two part pad. These pads keep your hip, rib and elbow bones protected from the hard wooden clappers. They are soft but very strong and durable and will soon conform to your body's shape. After extended use it can be fluffed up with a wire brush. The 3/4" wide arm strap, 1" wide body belt and 2" wide hinge are made out of soft and exceptionally strong nylon webbing that is nearly indestructible, never stains and is washable. Like the fleece, it comes from the harness industry. All buckles are nylon, light weight and likewise very durable. Valve assembly The valve assembly has three principal components and is designed to be air tight and maintenance free. The valve flap is durable silicone rubber and attached to the black Delrin holder with two small brass escutcheon pins. The valve/clapper connection is made through a two piece, hand made brass flange. The cylindrical part of the flange extends down into the clapper's valve hole and the flat part of the flange extends out on the face of the clapper. Softened bees wax is used under the flat and cylindrical part of the flange as bedding to assures a fit that is free of air leaks. All wood moves and valve holes bored into wooden clappers will always become somewhat oblong over time. The same thing happens with wooden valve holders and that means sooner or later you have a poor valve holder to hole fit and air leaks. My custom made brass flange always stays uniformly round and it's inner sealing surface smooth. The valve flap holder is made from bullet proof Delrin and it's dimensions never change so the components never gets a chance to leak. Gusset and glue Two coats of Barge brand contact cement is used on each surface that will be glued to another and provides a flexible, airtight and nearly indestructible barrier. I have never had a gusset of this type leak and it never needs seasoning. The leather gusset is two layers thick. The inside layer is of sturdy 4oz. airtight leather. This inner gusset's "joint" is at the narrow hinge end and is glued, with the rough side out, in a 2 1/4" long overlap. The outer layer of black, lightweight garment leather is then glued over the inner gusset so it's smooth side faces out. This is the part of the gusset you see. The garment leather ends also meet at the narrow hinge part of the assembly and are glued in an overlapping fashion and staggered with the inner gusset overlap. When finished, there is a total of nearly 7" of glued, staggered and over-lapped leather at the hinge end of this gusset! The assembled gusset is pneumatically stapled to the edges of both clappers. Another piece of thin garment leather is glued onto each clapper face and down over the stapled edge of the gusset. Brass escutcheon pine are driven into slightly smaller pilot holes that are pre-drilled between the closely spaced gusset staples. Wood The clappers are made from carefully chosen, clear, straight grain, defect free flat sawn domestic cherry. I use this wood for it's density, stability and mechanical holding properties. Hose The black leather cover air hose is detachable for easy storage and it's length is adjustable to suit your body type. It is made out of 4 mm wall, red latex rubber, is flexible enough to easily conform to the shape of your body and will not kink. A plastic PVC fitting (female) has been forced into one end of the hose and permanently glued to it. On the other end is a male PVC fitting with it's outside end wound with waxed hemp for insertion into the copper pipe silver soldered into the cast bronze exit pipe plate. Sleeve guard The round, hand cast silicon bronze sleeve guard was designed by me, copyrighted in 1991 and is unique to these bellows. It has a heart motif around the outside edge, and it will keep your shirt sleeve from being sucked into and clogging the valve hole while playing. The fancy hinge name/date plate is also my design and cast out of silicon bronze as is the back exit pipe plate. Scottish smallpipe bellows These are slightly smaller in overall size and air capacity. However, construction methods and materials are exactly the same as the uilleann bellows. Some people (myself included) have a difficult time not over-blowing smallpipes while using the large uilleann pipe bellows so I am once again offering it's smaller but older brother. Why they are important Bellows are at least one half of any set of bellows driven bagpipe. They will work without the pipes but the pipes are useless without them. My bellows will power your bagpipes with more comfort and efficiency than the bellows that you now own. A tendency to over blow will be noticed at first, but this will soon disappear as you get use to the increased volume and efficiency. Your right shoulder will be working less and thus be less prone to fatigue and the shoulder ailments we all suffer as age catches up with us. After a short time, you should be playing in a much more relaxed fashion and having more fun with the music. I guarantee all of my work against failure due to workmanship and material. This guarantee extends to the original owner only and has no time limit. Naturally this excludes acts of God (kids, dogs, hurricanes & etc.), extremes in temperature and humidity and acts of craziness or negligence by the owner. This includes maintenance on or adjustments to these bellows, which are not specifically, recommend by the maker. Repairs or modifications done to these bellows by persons other than myself or those appointed by me will void any expressed or implied guarantee. Never season the inside of these bellows with anything! I consider each bellows I make a once in a lifetime purchase. Questions? If you have any questions concerning any product I make, you should be aware that I am a very easy person to get in touch with. If I am not in my shop then the answering machine will be on and I will call you back as soon as I get in. Emails are answered promptly. I try to have these bellows in stock so wait time is minimal. The end of your bagpipe's blowpipe may need slight modification to fit the PVC fitting on the end of the flexible hose. This I will do that at no charge if you send it to me with your payment. Generally, your bellows are shipped no later than the day after I get your check. Overall dimensions are: 11" long X 6 1/2" wide X about 5" thick when new. The pads do compress slightly over time. Below the prices are testimonials and complicated instruction for the easy job of adjusting the arm strap.
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Bellows Prices Prices are as of 4-21-08. Naturally all prices are subject to change without notice. Please contact me for availability. I do try to keep a number of bellows in stock at all times. Uilleann or Scottish smallpipe bellows, in my shop. $520.00 + 5% Maine sales tax All bellows are shipped within continental USA using Priority Mail with insurance and delivery confirmation and take about 3 business days. $560.00 Bellows shipped anywhere else in the world via Priority International Mail with insurance and delivery confirmation takes about 7 to 10 business days. $570.00 I do not accept plastic. A bank check or money order is fine. Foreign payment by bank check in American dollars only. All duties and taxes are the responsibility of the purchaser. Architectural
Woodcarving LLC |
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" I needed a large-capacity bellows that would be a comfortable, dependable, efficient workhorse that would stand up to excessive wear and tear. The bellows Mike made for me is an outstanding piece of craftsmanship which is all of these things plus some. You simply cannot do better than a Mike Dow bellows." Jerry O'Sullivan - 2000 * "I have tried the bellows and am very pleased with them. They really are excellent - what a difference to the other set I had. Very nice and responsive. Thanks again." Peter L. - 2001 * "I bought a set of smallpipe bellows from you last year, and was and remain absolutely delighted with
their performance! Seriously: your bellows has brought lovely light to the dark day of my past
bellows experience! It's incredibly comfortable to hold and play, and it's beautiful to look at, to boot.
Thanks again." Thomas M. - 2001 * "I am delighted! I received your beautifully crafted bellows
yesterday Edmund Toney - 2001 * I am pleased to report that after 4 years your bellows are still performing wonderfully. I receive many inquiries about them and always direct the people your way. Thank you for your excellent craftsmanship. Edmund Toney - 2004 * "I haven't yet had a chance to thank you for the bellows. Nice work! Excellent! I can't describe to you how much easier it is to play the border pipes, now that I have an appropriately- sized set of bellows. I bought one of Michael Dow's bellows about 2 weeks ago, the big (uilleann) size. Its craftsmanship is excellent:
from the quality of the leather itself, to the cheeks, to the sheepskin pads, to the nice bronze guard for the inlet!
Wonderful! And, who knows why I like it so much, the blowpipe connector is a nice solid copper. These are
WORKHORSE bellows, and the craftsmanship alone is worth the admission price. Stuart Hall - 2001 * "I received the (uilleann) bellows yesterday. They are great! I just need the rest of my set going as well as these bellows. They are the best made bellows I have played. I'm very happy with them. If you ever start making sets of uilleann pipes, put my name down for a set. Regards," Emmett Gill * "The pipes have arrived in great condition. They are beautiful and the tone is great. Your workmanship will be played and
enjoyed for years to come. Harry Nichols - 2001 * "My bellows arrived and we're having a great time getting to know each other! First of all, it's beautiful - a real work of art! I love the padding under the arm strap and the sheepskin on the underside! So as soon as I get the pressure difference resolved and finish adjusting my chanter reed (the drone reeds are doing very well), we should make lovely music together. Thanks so much for getting it to me so quickly!" Ann M. Watson, Chairman * "Thanks for your greeting. I am using the bellows every day and they are great. I use them for my border pipes, which were difficult to play before, at least for me, even after I sealed the leak in the maker's bellows. I am also starting to learn Us. For my Day penny chanter, your bellows is so efficient that you virtually never pump it completely. Thanks, Michael."
* "Michael Dow's bellows are supreme! "I'm quite delighted with Michael Dow's bellows. They are better than one can imagine in many ways. They are a work of art...expertly crafted with great attention to detail and are very aesthetically pleasing. They are also quite comfortable to use. The bellows are the most airtight I've ever played. As a result of this and their size, it is quite easy to keep up with the airflow demands of the full set of pipes. I highly recommend the purchase and find them to be well worth the investment. Best part of it is that Michael is a true gentleman to do business with." * "When my fingers finally thawed (from moving 2002/3 snow) I strapped
them on and they are for lack of a better word, luscious. They make a
wonderful connection for a set of pipes which have soul and on into the
player. Cheers for coming up with a way to make a symbiotic relationship
and connection between piper and pipes. Got them fitted to both the uilleann
and the Sloan smalls I have. Thank you. It's helping me get
into the attitude of wanting to pick up my pipes to play instead of
cranking on rigid and or leaking bellows. Cheers mate!" Chris Pinchbeck Rockland, Maine - 2003 * "The bellows have arrived and they are great! What a difference they make, they can really power
these pipes and make it much more relaxing to pipe
the tunes. I am very pleased with them and thank you much. I don't
understand why I didn't do this earlier. Thanks again" Ed Harrison, Tailors, South Carolina - 2003 * "Finally got my hands on the things yesterday - very happy indeed.
They make a completely different instrument of the pipes. Make it much easier to bash regulators too, so I can make any passing
guitar/bouzouki/mandolin player's life completely miserable. The long term health benefits will be good too - as well as saving my back, the
duty means I won't be drinking for the rest of the month ;) Cheers Mike" Comic Cannon Limerick, Ireland - 2003 *
"About 4 or 5 years ago I was taking piping lessons from Al Purcell (R.I.P.), and I ordered one of your uilleann bellows after seeing the one
he had gotten from you. Shortly thereafter, I went through a divorce and
had to sell my set of uilleann pipes. Unfortunately, the bellows went with
the set I sold. I am now able to get back into piping somewhat, and I
remembered that your bellows was far superior to the one I had with the
original set. Now that I can get back to the pipes I wanted the comfort
and playability of a Michael Dow bellows once again. Once someone
experiences one of your uilleann bellows, the others just don't measure
up. They sell themselves."
Greg Gunner *
" Thanks for the follow up! The bellows are wonderful! I can't get over how well-designed it is. It is such a pleasure and
comfortable to play!"
Dan McNamara * "I've been putting your bellows through it's paces for several weeks with mixed reviews. Good news -- smooth, powerful, no-effort pressure flowing through my chanter and drones. Bad news -- no more excuse for playing badly. Good news -- great to have the bellows in the car when I have a flat tire. A few pumps and I'm back on the road." Jim Reilly * "Hello Mike! Stefan Karat * "I got it this morning and all I can say is WOW! I don't have my border pipes yet, but it makes the Smallpipes effortless. I can already see an improvement in my playing. I have blown a lot of my money on less than useful piping gadgets over the years, but this is definitely money well spent. Thanks!" Patrick MacLeod * "Hi Michael -
Ann Wallace *
"Michael - got the bellows and they are magnificent. Like a new set of lungs!
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"thank Michael! they really do make a huge difference! philadelphia, pa - 2004 *
"Michael,
Peter Walker, * "Like one of your other customers, I just took receipt of my second set of Dow bellows, having foolishly sold my first set off with a set of Smallpipes. Your bellows have really spoiled me. I will just never be able to go back to wee puny girlie bellows ever again!" Name Withheld (at piper's request) to Protect Commentator from Grievous Bodily Harm * "Michael- the Smallpipes bellows arrived, and the pipes were singing in
short order. Your bellows extra capacity and efficiency made playing easier immediately, and they
are beautiful to look at to boot. John Levelly 2005 * "Michael, your bellows arrived yesterday. I am indeed a lucky fellow to have a wife who would buy me such a wonder gift. I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoy them and what a difference it is to use them on my small pipe and border pipe. I have never before really enjoyed my border pipe much because it just seemed such a weak imitation of my highland pipe. I had to play such weak squeaky reeds. Your bellows are so efficient and comfortable. They now make playing my border pipe look like fun, and I now think I can set up an old set of
Laurie reel pipe to use with them too. I look forward to a long time of pleasure with my bellows pipes because of you and my wife. Your bellows are a delight to use and to look at." Ed Lindsey * "Hi Michael, Matt Willen * "Hello, Just a quick note. My name is John McCarthy. I’m the guy who, in July drove up from Boston and purchased a set of your uilleann bellows. THANK YOU!! The bellows are great and air tight! I instantly noticed the improvement over my other bellows. They make my pipes more fun to play. The 2 day process of ordering and then having them available for pick-up wasn’t too shabby either! Thanks again. All the best, " John M * "Yes, received the blowpipe no problem and
everything is working BEAUTIFULLY - good grief, your bellows is the
greatest! My playing is infinitely better because of it.
Thank you so much for all your help as well! I'll
definitely try and get a recording out to you sometime - currently
working on a couple of projects. Talk
to you soon! Ben Jaber * "Bellows arrived safe and sound yesterday evening, no customs interception! They work beautifully. I will probably shorten the blowpipe by about an inch. Other than that, I'm delighted. If anyone over here is looking for good bellows, I will send them your way." David Power *
"When I first got your bellows, I noticed they looked much nicer than
my other bellows. Workmanship is very functional and clean.
When I started to pump air, I quickly found out I hardly needed to
pump to fill the bag. I soon noticed I was not even paying attention
to pumping the bellows, as the bag was full with much less work than
with my old bellows. I have been able to pay more attention to
my chanter work than worrying about the bag and bellows.
Peter Allen |
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Alternate bellows playing position
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| Once upon a time,
Northumbrian piper Dick Hensold had a very bad bellows shoulder and
being a person of great determination and creativity, he found a work around. He sat
on a stool, kicked off both shoes and used his feet to push a
bellows that was made to inflate a rubber raft. A long hose ran
from the bellows to the blowpipe and his music sounded great, as
usual. This happened beck when the Pipers' Gathering was in the North
Hero Village Hall.
I recently sold a bellows to a piper in England and he sent me the two pictures with the explanation below. By the time he gets his half set his thigh muscles should be ready! "The reason I did this was my shoulder was not feeling to good from arthritis or bursitis. Hell, it just hurt. It rains here a lot and that does not help. I was looking for ways to make things more comfortable and started experimenting with different positions of the bags and bellows. I even went from a lefty to a righty for holding the chanter. When I put the bellows between the knees, it took all the stress off my arms. I found I was able to concentrate more on the fingering than keeping the bag full. Keeping the bag full with the legs seemed more of a natural motion than with the arm. My arm no longer ached after a practicing." |
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* "Hello Michael, Colin Everett *
"Dear Michael,
The bellows arrived and I am quite pleased with them.
They are better than any other bellows I've ever used and my playing has
improved immediately, especially working between the two octaves.
The hose is shorter than the bellows I had been using, so it make take a
while to adjust to the new length (I suppose I could replace the hose
with a longer one?). In any event, thank you for an excellent
product and courteous, prompt service."
Dan Humphries "Hi Michael, And happy new year. Hope you and your family had a great holidays. Just wanted to let you know I love the new bellows. I had my first proper go on them yesterday, first at home and then out at a session. Once I got used to the significantly increased airflow I was away and flying. Quite a remarkable difference, especially noticeable when playing the full set with drones and regs all going. Easy action. Comfortable. Beautiful to look at. I couldn't be more pleased with them. Thanks so much."
* "mike, well buddy i knew it would be good, but i am blown
away i played for a couple hours last night and the
ease and grace of your bellows made me smile my drones sound
so different no buzzy bees with bad wing beats just this
beautiful even hum man i am a happy dude i am playing
at a gathering this weekend and will spread the word i hope
to get you a few more orders thank you again i
love the look and the feel it is nice to see real craftsmanship
here's to you mike thanks you rock" John Marrs * "Hi Mr. Dow, Arthur Cholakis "Michael, I received the bellows on Saturday. They are a tremendous improvement over the bellows that came with the pipes. The larger volume makes it much more comfortable to play. Thank you for the quick shipping." Paul Harren * I just got the bellows. Beautiful work! I just played my pipes, and I think the bellows will work wonderfully and painlessly. The new valve is a "miracle". I have always noticed a little leak, but couldn't pinpoint it. Problem solved. The hose length is perfect. I'm at maximum winter-weight and it fits just fine. Charles E. Heckler Rochester, NY 2010 * Hey Michael, This bellows kicks ass... pencils down.
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