[TheForge] bellows

[Andrew Vida]

regarding plank thickness, one can use a thinner board for the paddles, 
say 3/4" with no problems.  The way to get enough solid area for fixing 
the leather is to glue up up a 1 or  2 inch wide, 3/4 inch thick  strip 
along the periphery like so:


                 ___________________________________________
                |___________________________________________|
     "nailer"-->|__|                                     |__|
                |                                           |
      leather-->|                                           |


Having spent some years yanking a double lung bellows at Allaire 
Village, I can attest to the virtue of not making the parts too heavy - 
just enough to get the air flowing smoothly.