Pre-made Bridles

Steve Turner · Post by **Steve Turner** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:44 am

Hi gang,

I used to be able to buy pre-made bridles from NPU, but they no longer sell them, or at least they are no longer on the NPU shop website. Does anyone know where I can buy pre-made bridles, or should I make my own. If making my own, where can I source some suitable copper sheeting (in the UK)?

With kind regards, and thanks for any hints,

Steve

Joseph E. Smith · Post by **Joseph E. Smith** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:13 am

When you find a source for sheet copper, I suggest using .20 gauge.

Steve Turner · Post by **Steve Turner** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:25 am

Joseph E. Smith wrote:When you find a source for sheet copper, I suggest using .20 gauge.

Thanks Joseph. I found a supplier of sheet copper in the UK, and they are offering a copper sheet, 300mm by 300mm at 26SWG(0.46 mm) thickness. I measured some bridles here with my calipers and they are ~0.5mm in thickness, so I guess the 0.46mm stuff would do the job?

Kind Regards

Steve

AlanB · Post by **AlanB** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:01 am

Areet Steve,

Try this (this will give you wire similar to the stuff NPU used to sell).

You will need access to a jewellers rolling mill though.....

1.6mm copper wire, annealed and rolled to 0.7mm, annealed again to harden, rolled to 0.6mm. The rolling will automatically produce the width.

If you get really stuck, give me a shout, I can probably spare some ready rolled wire, and I can certainly give you a good amount of copper .5mm sheet that'd last you a while if you want to go that route.

Cheers

Steve Turner · Post by **Steve Turner** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:29 am

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the pointers. I'll check out the jewelers rolling mill thingy on t'internets, and in the meantime I'll order some of the copper sheeting that I found. Tis a shame that NPU no longer do those bridles....they were rather handy....I still have some left, but they are already used, and no longer in good shape.

Cheers

Steve

Brazenkane · Post by **Brazenkane** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 4:03 pm

I used to have the most difficult time making bridles. One day I just got a bunch of copper in an old reed and did a bunch of practicing. That really helped!

Fergmaun · Post by **Fergmaun** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:42 am

Hi Steve

I had no problem on the 10 June 2008 at the NPU web site Shop as I got 20 looped bridles at €0.80 each

You could try Cillian O Briain Ballyferriter County Kerry.(I don't have his full address or Telephone number)

I got reedmaking stuff March 2006 from Cillian when he was still at Ceardlann na Coille (Craft Village) Dingle Co Kerry. He also sent me a Reed-Maker's Supplies Price List which listed Pre-Formed Bridles packet of 30 at €15.00 and Bridle Wire at €2.00.

All the best

Ferg

Steve Turner · Post by **Steve Turner** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 1:56 pm

Brazenkaine wrote:I used to have the most difficult time making bridles. One day I just got a bunch of copper in an old reed and did a bunch of practicing. That really helped!

*nods* Practice is that which underpins success in virtually every aspect of uilleann piping.

Steve Turner · Post by **Steve Turner** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 1:57 pm

Fergmaun wrote:Hi Steve

I had no problem on the 10 June 2008 at the NPU web site Shop as I got 20 looped bridles at €0.80 each

Ferg

Hi Ferg,

Thanks for the advice. I'll drop an email to NPU and see if they do have them, but just don't list them on their website (for whatever reason).

Kind Regards

Steve

Uilliam · Post by **Uilliam** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 3:24 am

Hya Steve this is my main bridle

Dionys · Post by **Dionys** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:16 am

Some Andalusian in that beast?

Uilliam · Post by **Uilliam** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:34 am

Neigh I am Irish

Slán Go Foill
Uilliam

Dionys · Post by **Dionys** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:51 pm

Loverly.

meemtp · Post by **meemtp** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:02 pm

Beautiful horse...

Steve Turner · Post by **Steve Turner** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:19 am

A fine looking beast....

........and the horse is nice too