Chiff and Fipple Forums

I have a blowpipe that doesn't fit the hose coming from the bellows. I don't know how to build it up. Hemp doesn't work because it forms a wedge that slips. Black tape is a bit better but is sticky and slips/unravels a bit. I realise I could try a blowpipe that's wider but I like this particular one. I hope what I've said is comprehensible.

Strip the blowpipe hemp off.
Apply several layers of paper painters masking tape - the 3/4" wide stuff - until the fit on the hose is just slightly sliding.
Apply waxed hemp/thread/floss over the paper tape, tightly wound, till the fit is secure and airtight.

The final layers of floss binding will help hold the paper tape in position.
M

If that doesn’t hold you can put a hose clamp on it (and tape over it to keep it from scratching your set).

A little connector, one end goes into the end of the hose, the other fits the blowpipe:

Thank you, I'm going to try the tape and hemp. I don't think I have anything that would work as an adaptor.

Clean the end of the blowpipe with spirit to remove any residue. Bare, dry, wood will grip the new tape best.
Put the masking tape on as tight as you can. Keep plenty of tension on the tape whilst winding it over the blowpipe end.
Ditto for the final layers of hemp/thread/floss.
M

m4malious wrote:Clean the end of the blowpipe with spirit to remove any residue. Bare, dry, wood will grip the new tape best.
Put the masking tape on as tight as you can. Keep plenty of tension on the tape whilst winding it over the blowpipe end.
Ditto for the final layers of hemp/thread/floss.
M

Acetone would be okay wouldn't it?

Depends on what residue adhesive is there (from black plastic tape, etc)... Sometimes turpentine works best - acetone is pretty powerful, but should give you
the clean, bare wood, sort of surface you want prior to laying on the masking tape.
M

What's the wood? Does it have a finish?

The tip of the blowpipe is about 1 1/2 times the width of the tape. Do I wind round this whole area or just a section the same width as the tape?

Put the tape on so that the edge of the tape is about 3mm back from the outside edge of the blowpipe.
That prevents the tape from folding over the intake hole, when its wound around the blowpipe end.

Its pretty simple - you're just trying to build up in diameter with the tape, then hemp, a section of the length of the blowpipe
end that allows for an airtight fit into the bellows outlet tube.

If you're struggling to visualise this, PM me for an image that will help.
M

Hi m4malious, I pmd you. Thanks.