[TheForge] Fanning the flames

[Paul N]

I half expected that 3/4" plywood would be too light. Maybe I'll 
laminate a couple of pieces of 1/2" for the bottom, although hanging 
weight from it doesn't bother me. The museum shop where I volunteer has 
a rebuilt antique bellows, and even with planks about 1" thick, we hung 
4 very large horse shoes from the bottom paddle to get it to draw more 
effectively.

Thanks for the comments.
**Paul

On 12/19/10 11:47 AM, bmyers647 at comcast.net wrote:
> Paul, contact me offline and I will send you the plans that I have in a pdf of an old book. Don't know the name of the book, as I am away from my files.
>
> I don't recommend using the plywood. Bellows I have seen made from plywood need to weighted to allow the bottom to fall to gather the new air. It does allow fewer opportunities to leak air though.
>
> I have had good experience with artist's canvas as a leather substitute, but when the historical site could afford leather, it made a nicer job.
>
> One other suggestion, use a 5/8" bar across the entire span rather than a short piece on each side. I find that the kids who I allow to pull the bellows like to chin themselves on the rope and the short bar will weaken the center board and in one case, cracked the board.
>
> I have made one complete bellows. Refurbished three others.
>
> Barry Myers
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