[TheForge] bellows

[Paul N]

Allen,
Where did you get your canvas? I've started shopping around, and find 
the weight value of the canvas to be ambiguous. Some use ounces/sq yard, 
others use ounces for 22" x 36", and then there's the numbered and 
"naught" values, which are based on the weight, but I'm not sure if that 
weight is the sq yard, or the 22x36 version <sigh>

I've found some local upholsterers and custom tarp places. I'll probably 
try a couple of those, but I'm expecting to have to wait until monday to 
actually reach some of them.

As someone mentioned, if I buy the heavy canvas online, it isn't all 
that much cheaper than leather.

Meanwhile, I have my paddles cut from 3/4" 11-ply plywood, along with 
the floating ribs. Today's activity will be making some stiffeners so 
they won't twist or warp, along with gluing up the nozzle blank and 
perhaps the valves.

I've decided to go with "finish washers" and screws to hold an oak band 
over the edges of the fabric.

So far, the layout took the most time (probably about 2hrs making a full 
size pattern on paper) then maybe another 1 or so cutting the paddles. 
So this project isn't all that time consuming... yet.

I have a pretty well equipped wood shop that hasn't seen much use since 
I lit my first forge. (Actually, this project was an attempt to reduce 
some lumber inventory) Having a top of the line saber saw and router 
made pretty short work of the cutting.

Happy New Year everyone!

**Paul

On 12/20/10 2:04 PM, Allen Ortery wrote:
> We just rebuilt the one at New Salem.  16 to 20 oz. canvas works
> great. the canvas that we replaced had been on the bellows for 20+
> years. Make sure to seal the canvas, used concrete sealer from Sherwin
> Williams. The plywood may not hold the nails well, lot of pressure.
> Ours is made out of real wood, even the floating ribs you can't see,
> the good solid core plywood might work best, unless some has built one
> out of the other stuff with success.
>