It has been clear for some time that there is a need for a Keyed chanter and 4 drones for the School pipes. I did produce a prototype 5 keyed chanter in 2000 and developed the coil springs to make the springing of the keys cheaper and better. At the time it proved too expensive to make the keys in sufficient quantities and the need for a keyed chanter was less pressing.
Now, in 2018, the need for this has increased. I started working towards this a couple of years ago but life delayed me until now.
Another element is the need to find alternative materials that are not going to be effected by the Cites rules. I have significant experience using Acetal sometimes refered to as Delrin. This material is cheap, available in rod form, easy to machine, capable of very fine finishes and Tonally similar to blackwood and ivory. The only downside is the difficulty of gluing it although even that can be solved if necessary.
Project status January 2018:
I have made a prototype drone assembly for the concert G 4 drone set and a similar prototype assembly for the concert F set. The heading picture is the CAD model of the prototype G drone set.
I have 3 turned and drilled chanter blanks that I had made in 2001 as part of the original prototyping and not completed. I will finish the machining of these soon.
I have designed, drawn and had made parts for a simple design of keys made from laser cut parts and using standard picolo pads. These need to be assembled and tried.
I have completed the drawings for the components for these sets and they available on this page. (not checked)
I have had reservations about the use of orings on the drones for the standing part tennon. For some thoughts and potential solutions go here
Here is a list of the available drawings 2018 parts list This list is a work in progress!
The drawings for the 4 drone Concert G School pipes.
There are already some of the components for this pitch set of pipes manufactured for the original 3 drone unkeyed sets. Some of these parts will need modification for the 4 drone concert pitch sets. I have grouped the drawings to reflect this. The bracketed number for each entry is the quantity required for a single drone set.
The drawings for the 4 drone Concert "F" School pipes.
The drones for the traditional "F" pitch Small pipes can use a large percentage of the same parts as the Concert "G" set. The list below is only for the additional drone parts unique to the 4 drone traditional pitch sets. All of the other components are common with the Concert G set. See the Drone Set Assembly (F) SP-SA-026 for the required quantities.
Drone Components, Assemblies and Drawings unique to the F set
