Tuning bellows

[Edocaster]

What is the most inexpensive way to make a tuning bellows? Ive seen various designs, but they seem to rely on donor bellows, and finding those in good condition but not costly can be hit and miss. They are also pretty large for storage.

Would a toy accordion be too small to sound bass reeds?

What about an air mattress bellows pump like http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bellows-Foot-pump-beds-inflatables/dp/B003JMBC7G ? It says it inflates and deflates, so presumably can do both the push and pull.

 

[artelagro]

Each port on the footpump contains a non-return (one way) valve which is just a simple flexible disc.
Unplug the hose then remove the valve disc from one port and replace it in the other.
You now have one port with two valves which will not allow air flow in either direction (i.e. it is now plugged)
Plus one open port in which to fit the hose.
The internal spring is just fine for reed testing - That's exactly my set-up.
I got mine in Tesco
Good luck
Garth

 

[truthinbeer]

What is the most inexpensive way to make a tuning bellows? Ive seen various designs, but they seem to rely on donor bellows, and finding those in good condition but not costly can be hit and miss. They are also pretty large for storage.

Would a toy accordion be too small to sound bass reeds?

What about an air mattress bellows pump like http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bellows-Foot-pump-beds-inflatables/dp/B003JMBC7G ? It says it inflates and deflates, so presumably can do both the push and pull.

Edocaster it would be great if you would post photos of your finished setup. I am sure that others here would be interested.

 

[JIM D.]

To start with, the bellows you really need are an old set that have worn bellows tape and corroded corners but hold pressure . I have over the years sent many old bellows to the land fill but save a few that are cosmetically ugly but are perfect for building a tuning table. I've sent some to member's on this forum for a few bucks plus shipping. If your on my side of the pond sent me a PM.
As for the tuning table, it doesn't have to be large and there are many designs on the web and Utube.

A small set of bellows will require a larger draw will not give you the precise air flow than a larger set with a small draw will provide.

 

[Edocaster]

Thanks all.

Truthinbeer - Artelagro is the one who actually has a working set up!

Artelagro - I bought one in Argos today, but it may not be the 'right' one. It's only 3L capacity, and I don't think you can stack two valves in one hole. I suppose it is possible to remove the valve so one hole is valve-free, but the other will need to be manually plugged with something.

I'm still getting used to it - I finding it hard to get smooth airflow, and am occasionally overpowering reeds into harmonica-style bends. But it's definitely good for testing if a reed will sound.

Jim D - thanks for the offer, but I'm on the wrong side of the pond I'm afraid.

 

[artelagro]

Edocaster - On the Tesco pump, the flexible valve disc I moved was less than 1mm thick so there was plenty of room to fit it. The only other change I made was to add a good length of garden hose. I found it much easier to control by foot and the short hose length supplied with the pump was not convenient.
Truthinbeer - I am out of action just now and cannot get up to the loft to photograph it. Will post asap. When I first made it I posted it in the thread 'Mission Impossible' on the Accordionist.org forum but I believe this site is now down.
Garth

 

[Edocaster]

Heres a chamber Ive attached one of the removable heads from the mattress pump to. It used to a coin box piggy bank I made at school. I simply cut a hole in the perspex, and used sealant on the other gaps.


It works a lot better than trying to directly pipe the bellows pump to a reed block. I think the extra space and change of direction helps even out the air flow.