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Introduction

One major attribute of Northumbrian pipe makers, is their willingness to give freely of their knowledge. This has contributed in no small measure to the continued development and improvment in quality of both making and playing.

There are evening class courses run in the north specificaly for pipemaking. But, for the prospective maker living too far from these, and lacking the necessary equipment at home, most towns have some kind of evening class giving access to a lathe and help in using it.

My methods for the manufacture of a set of Northumbrian small pipes are based firmly in the engineering tradition. I served a scientific instrument making apprenticeship and this training influences both the style and design of the pipes I produce. Other makers from different backgrounds will achieve the similar results using methods dictated by their training and experience.

No pipe maker works in isolation, and there have been many worthy pipemakers in the past 200 years, each of whom has made his own particular contribution to the continued development of the pipes. I freely acknowledge my debt to these men, and to the makers of today, for this book is really a compilation of the techniques of pipemaking, handed down by them to me.
In this respect I would like to thank the many people who have given me of their knowledge especially Colin Ross of Monkseaton.

Mike Nelson Cambridge 1987

The original version of my pipemaking book was published in 1981 by Chevy Chase. The first book sold out in the first year and was not reprinted. In 1987 I began a rewrite of the text making considerable changes to both the style and the content but, despite much prodding, this rewrite did not get completed or published. This latest rewrite of the 1987 text will bring up to date my views on pipemaking and will have more extensive drawings covering most of the popular sizes and pitches of Northumbrian Small Pipes

The decision to do this now has been prompted by my desire to dedicate it to the memory of Joe Hutton who's friendship and encouragement was an inspiration to me. I am sure that Joe's famous sense of humour would be tickled by the thought of such a modern way of fostering the music he loved!

I would also like to remember Archie Dagg who always found something good to say about the sets I took for his approval.

Mike Nelson Cambridge 1996

Remember that the final quality of the complete set will never be better than the poorest part. Treat every operation as though it was the most important part of the set.

Index Back To the Introduction or seeWhats new since 22nd November 1999

• The drawings
for this book in both Compuserve Gif format and downloadable DXF form
• Making the chanter
• Preparing the wood
• Drilling the Chanter Bore
• Turning the outside shape
• Machining the key Slots
• Making the Key Slot Linings


• Key Making


• Materials used
• Forming the touch-piece ends
• turning the pad mounting ends
• Silver Soldering
• Fitting to the chanter
• Fitting the springs
• Plating


• Drone making
• Preparing the Wood
• Drilling the Bore
• Boring the Sliding Part for Tuning Adjustment
• Fitting the Tuning Bead Seal
• making the metal and imitation ivory mountings
• Assembling the Drone Parts Mountings --Incomplete


• Making the Stocks
• making the leather bag
• Making the cover
--Incomplete
• Bellows making
--Incomplete
• Tool Construction and Selection


• Reed making and tuning
--Only the chanter reeds have been done
• Chanter reed
• Drone reeds --Incomplete


• Assembling the Set --Incomplete
• Tuning the chanter --Incomplete
• Suppliers of Materials and Parts --Incomplete
• Sources of More Information --Incomplete

Go back to Mike Nelsons Home Page

This site is created and maintained by Mike Nelson for his own pleasure

© 1997 mike.nelson@camcon.co.uk

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