bellows for fireplace

[Iplayfarmer]

I do a lot of leatherwork, and I've gotten a few hides from e-bay suppliers. Steckstore is one... stecksstore | eBay
The leather guy is another... theleatherguyofmn | eBay

You could also check your local upholstery place. Often you can get scraps for wholesale prices. A "scrap" from an upholstery place is sometimes several square feet.

 

[PILOON]

As a hobby/sideline I have made hundreds of bellows.
Sold them on EBay as well as locally.
Made them patterned after an old set that my folks had that came from England.
I used oak and deer hide for the leather and turned a brass nozzle on my lathe which I later found a small artisan to cast them in pot metal.
The fancy tacks were my most costly item as for maximum effect they need to be every inch apart.
My hinge was the leather joint, and for the intake valve old inner tubes were just the ticket.
The overall size was 19" by about 9" wide.
I also cast a Fleur-de-Lis to adorn the face as well as other items.
Made excellent Xmas gifts and I enjoyed many repeat clients.

 

[cmyoung2]

Here are some pics of one I made about 30 years ago. Body is pine, about 8"x16". Leather came from scrap somewhere, maybe old furniture?? Leather hinge, brass nozzle (1/4" flare fitting) Hole in body has leather flap on inside for the intake valve. Still works.

 

[Cap-n-Cray]

I bought a Handheld Balloon Air Inflator Pump off EBay for cheap. Blows each way in and out when you pump it. Works for me.:thumbsup:

Balloon Handheld Air Inflator Pump Birthday Party Supply | eBay

 

[tcreeley]

As a kid in Europe/Majorca, women would use a hollow bamboo tube to blow up the fire when they were cooking on the hearth over coals. If I remember correctly- about 1 1/2 inch or so.

 

[podieroe]

two flat boards anyshape you want( i recommenc either pear shaped or keystone), one should be hinged with leather or neoprene,to form a wedge shape, drill a hole about half an inch through the wind tip,in the center of the top(hinged board drill a 1 inch hole,cover the hole with a small peice of leather (preferably split cowhide,smooth one atleast oneside, tack the leather at only the corners,.thisis the valve. cover the edges of the now joined boards with an airproof membrane(leather or neoprene cloth, or old windbreaker material.mount two handles(1 and 1/2 inc by1/2 inch by about 6inches) to the center back of the boards. make a cone of whatever material,(i use tin) and tack to the wind tip. Btw my dad bought an old used bellows from a flea market and stripped it down and basically copied it. Copying is ok aslong as you don't sell or manufacture for somebody else.

 

[kw22614]

Use an old hair blow dryer.

 

[turnkey4099]

Use an old hair blow dryer.

Or set my wife's chair facign the fire and start her talking.

Harry K

 

[kw22614]

Or set my wife's chair facign the fire and start her talking.

Harry K

Better hope your wife never sees this post, or you'd be that fire. LOL