Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance

Subject: Tech: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 09 Jan 03 - 06:19 PM

I have bought a new set of Northumbrian Smallpipes from David Burleigh. I live in England.

He told me that some wood shrinkage would take place during the passage of time, and that the brass ferrules may come loose. And one has on my low D drone.

He recommended that I wound thread around the wood part and daubed a drop of shellac or non-epoxy glue (that could be removed if needs be at a later date) and place the ferrule back on the standing drone part. He recommended that I use UHU.

However,

I cannot find UHU for some reason anywhere in my locality, and I am likelier to find a pair of stuffed hippopotomuses in a suitcase than find shellac where I live.

Can anyone suggest an alternative?

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: smallpiper
Date: 09 Jan 03 - 07:43 PM

Yep use hemp (the type that you can get for highland pipes - from highland suppliers)instead of thread and wet it with your mouth (so you want it damp not soaking) then just push the ferrule back on. you wont need glue and will just have to repeat the procedure occasionally. Alternativeley take them back to Dave and get him to do it!

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: Dave Swan
Date: 09 Jan 03 - 10:30 PM

Guest Steve, congrats on your new pipes!

Smallpiper has good advice for you. I might add this. You will do well to purchase John Liestman's book for good information on care, feeding and general maintenance of smallpipes. I understand that Ray Sloan has also written a book on the same subject, but I haven't seen it yet.

May all of your rants be pleasant.

D

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: Little Robyn
Date: 09 Jan 03 - 11:53 PM

Not UHU - never UHU!
Barry Say has little bottles of shellac if you can contact him.
Have you joined the Northumbrian Piper's Society yet? You'll find lots of helpful people there and they're not all up north.
Some of us are even 'down under'!

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: GUEST,steve
Date: 10 Jan 03 - 04:14 AM

Thanks to everyone for their help.

I will contact Barry Say for the Shellac.

Dave - I've got a copy of Leistman's book, it's been a godsend but a lot of the things mentioned in the book are by his own admission geared up to a US piper. I don't think we have such comprehensively stocked hardware stores as they do in the States!

I will join the NPS at some stage, as I live in Gloucester so am a fair way from the spiritual homeland of the pipes themselves.

Steve.

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: smallpiper
Date: 10 Jan 03 - 07:46 AM

Then the man you want to talk to is Jonathon Swaine (he lives in your nabourhood I think) maker of various pipes and I am sure he will be happy to supply you with advice and little bits and pieces to keep you going or at least tell you where you can get stuff locally.

John

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 10 Jan 03 - 07:24 PM

John,

Thanks for the advice. Do you have any contact details for Jonathan Swaine, as I can't seem to locate anything on the NSP website.

Thanks

Steve

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: smallpiper
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 05:58 AM

I'm prety sure you'll find his details on bag pipe society (I hope that works)

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: Pied Piper
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 06:57 AM

Hi Steve
Good look with the pipes.
If you're in the Manchester area we have a session every Monday night at the Bull's Head Pub, right next to the low level entrance to Piccadilly train station and Metrolink tram stop.
We play a lot of Northumberland tunes with Adrian Scofield on small pipes.
All the best PP

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: ced2
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 11:29 AM

Ha, nice to hear "Queequeg Schofield" is still alive and kicking!

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: Dave Swan
Date: 11 Jan 03 - 12:15 PM

Has anybody seen a copy of Ray Sloan's book?

D

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 12:59 PM

Dave,

Ray Sloan's book is now being serialised on his website.

The parts I have seen thus far have been most useful.

Steve.

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: Dave Swan
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 07:21 PM

Thanks. I'll go have a look.
D

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: John Routledge
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 06:44 PM

Guest Steve - The Manchester Pipers Day on 13 Sept 2003 has David Burleigh fettling pipes It's not too far from Gloucester :0)

In addition there are workshops during the day and a participants' concert in the evening. All levels of experience welcome.

Last year about 30 pipers attended from all over the country.

Subject: RE: Northumbrian Pipes - maintenance
From: 8_Pints
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 01:40 PM

Steve,

Last year's Manchester Pipers' Day tutors included Colin Ross, Andy May, Adrian Schofield, Andrew Davison and Pauline Cato.

What an amazing day!

Look forward to attending again.

Hope you can make it.

Bob vG