Binding a chanter reed.

Fitting reed to chanter

Making the Uilleann Pipes -- A Visit to the Claddagh Workshop

Reeds

Years of experience and thousands of hand-fashioned reeds have proved to Michael that reed from California gives the most satisfactory results for his pipes.  Each set of pipes has 7 reeds -- each one hand cut, shaped and precision-tuned for the instrument. 

After cutting and shaping two pieces of reed, they are bound together with special thread.  Reeds are then placed in the pipe and tuned carefully.

 

Tuning regulator reeds is a tedious part of the tuning process. Here Michael fits the reed to the regulator.

Top quality African Blackwood is the material of choice for chanter and regulator pipes.   In these photos you see Michael pre-drilling a block of wood in preparation for reaming the internal bore.  Because the unique sound and accurate tuning of the uilleann pipes is partly dependent on the pipes having a conical bore, the precise angle of the reaming tool is key to this step.  The sound of the pipe is directly affected by the size and shape of the internal bore.

Once the bore is reamed to Michael's satisfaction, he turns down the external size of the pipe, adding decorative ridges, and notches for the fittings.   The brass and imitation ivory end-fittings are added, then the pipe goes back on the lathe again for final touches.

Every brass key on a set of pipes is cut and shaped by Michael to exactly fit the pipes for the best possible sound. Here he is shaping a chanter key against a sanding block on the lathe, then fitting a key to the chanter.  The action, or movement, of the keys is extremely important to the playability of the pipes. Each key is tested and adjusted so the action is consistent across the instrument.

Boring the main stock

The "main stock," usually made of cocobolo/rosewood or braziallian mahogony,  is the heart of the uilleann pipes, joining together chanter,  regulators and bellows. Five channels are bored through the main stock to allow air to pass between the pipes and bellows. Accurately boring these channels is very important.

Carving the bellows

Assembling bellows

The bellows, used to inflate the bag, take a lot of air pressure so must be constructed with durability in mind.  Traditional pipe-making techniques have adapted over the years to incorporate modern materials that give much greater durability.  The internal bladder of both the bellows and bag are flexible rubber and leather, that will not leak, dry out or crack with continued use. 

The outer structure of the bellows is also leather with Irish elm paddles.  Michael adds his artistic signature to the paddles with a variety of Celtic knotwork. 

Piping between bellows and bag is a combination of flexible tubing and brass joints.  They are joined together with traditional blackwax for a leak-proof, durable seal.

Imitation ivory fittings are all turned on the lathe to achieve precise fit and decorative profile.