Building a Leather Lung Bellows: Log Cabin Blacksmith Shop Build |1800's | PIONEER LIFE | HISTORY |
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- Опубліковано 3 гру 2024
- Peter brings us up to speed on the progress he has made in the construction of the bellows for his 19'th century stone forge.
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Featuring - Peter Kelly
Cinematography - Catherine Wolfe
Producer & Editor - Catherine Wolfe
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The amazing music in this episode is graciously provided by our friends, Richard Fortier and Al MacDonald.
#woodworking #blacksmith #DIY #selfsufficiency #pioneer #1800s #frontier #history #townsends #earlyamerican #americanpatriot #oldmen #heritagebuilding #zoomer
We build pipe organs for a living and bellows play a big role in our craft. The sound of a valve closing properly is something we are trained in hearing. Indeed it is difficult to explain but a generous "thunk" without reverberation is something to aim for. I wish I could come lend you a hand! Very cool stuff you are doing, keep it coming
Heck it is not your hands I need, but rather, your ears, lol. It sounds ( no pun intended) like you are in a very interesting trade! Thanks for the information.
Been waiting to see this one, Peter. Yes, my garlic went in two days ago...as you would say, "a wee bit late."
Well James, as the saying goes, better late than never. Are garlic is now put to bed for the winter.
You all never cease to amaze me, thanks!
Always a kind word to say, Tammy … thank you so much.
Possibly my favorite video, anticipating what it will lead to. Good luck on the hunt,have fun and be safe.
Thanks Hayward. Checkout the email I sent you.
I am really looking forward to seeing that bellows in action! Good luck on your hunt!
Thanks Jeff.
Can't to wait to see that bellow finish and see it in action.
Yup, I’m on board with that as well. Just a few more weeks!
The shop is coming along nicely Peter. Can't wait to see it done and working. Good luck on your hunt. Getting ready for deer season myself here in Pennsylvania
You live in a beautiful State and as understand a very healthy population of whitetail deer, so all the best on your hunt as well. I am getting pretty excited about hearing the ring of the anvil all be it in a few more weeks.
I trust you will have a good trip,enjoy,and stay safe.The bellows will be waiting when you return,I'm sure they'll be another great achievement of yours.
Thanks Cathy and Peter for all You do 🙂.
Thanks, Donald.
I'm glad you like the snow. It might have been 27 here last night but it's mid 50's out there right now. The first 10 years of my military career I was in Eastern Washington state and we had plenty of snow. I loved watching it fall but after just an hour of working in it I was soaked, cold, and miserable. I learned to HATE the stuff! On a brighter(?) note, when your bellows are completed you WILL be the old timer who can tell by sound if it is the right weight. I'll bet you have heard yours 100+ times already. If they don't work you may hear them 100 more times!
Good luck on your hunt and if that bear fat works as good as the wild pig lard does down here you will shoot straight and true! Thank you for sharing a bit of your life with us!
Most think the same of winter in the North as you do, Victor. I’m actually a huge fan, lol. Your the second person to suggest that I will soon be the old timer that knows the proper sound.
Good morning from Syracuse NY USA brother and everyone else thank you for sharing your live history videos
Thanks Earl.
It is amazing what you accomplish!
You are too kind!
Interesting start. Two water rats with outboard motors!! Don't have them down here in Australia.
Interesting history of the bellows, incredible age to them & quite a neat build of yours. Can't wait for the action.
Good luck with your deer hunt
Thanks Stephen. I’m on Manitoulin Island right now, season opens tomorrow morning.
Great job! I love this! The costume and buildings are amazing!!
Appreciate your kind words, Wolfmaan.
Peter, another great video; thanks to both of you!
Being an amateur 'tinkerer', your uncertainty of the bellows air valve operation has got me thinking of a possible solution. Since the leather, once tacked on, will make 'adjustments' difficult if not impossible, I would suggest drilling some well-placed 'bung-holes' over the valve doors, through both top and bottom outer shells. By purposely making the hinged wood 'valves' too light, you could check their operation once all assembled, then by opening the bung, you could 'tune' the valve plates by attaching 'pennyweights or washers' (by screws). This would allow you access to fine tune the valve operation via the bung holes to achieve the most efficient weight/operation of the valves. Considering the huge number of repetitions your arm will have to carry out to operate the bellows, it would be helpful to have the ability to tune the bellows after they have been sealed. Just a thought.....
Those are some wonderful ideas, I’ll be mulling all of them over on my hunt next week. Fine tune the valves, brilliant!
I am so pleased you got your deer Peter& Cathy 😊🤲🎄❄⚡🦌
Blessings to you both for Manitou❄🏺🍽🍻🍽🧡❄
Thank you.
Keep up the GREAT work
Thank you, James.
Great video! love the information on the history of the bellows. your shop is looking Great. GOD' bless you with a safe, fun, and successful hunt. :)
Thanks Warren.
It sounds like you have most everything planned out for your bellows! I hope it works exactly as you want it to. Have a great time getting some more deer!
Thanks Jan. I’ve been going to the same camp since 1969 … not simply a camp, more like a right of passage!
Excellent as always!
And as always, an encouraging word, Mark. Appreciate your continued support.
Those bellows are huge! I did not realize they were that big. I can't to see them working. Good luck to you hunting. Thanks for sharing.
Lots of air flow is the objective … I’ll know soon how well it works.
I can't wait to see those bellows in action Peter and i wish you great success on your deer hunt on manitoulin island
Thanks, Elwood.
Sharing history is priceless. Your video journals are the “old timers” knowledge you talked about. Thank you for all you do.
I love learning from others and also like sharing my own wee bits of knowledge.
Same thing here: We're gonna plant the garlic you gave us under the snow... !! Great bellows project. I'll commission you to make me one , though smaller, for my scottish small bagpipes... Wish you great success for Manitoulin trip.
Tell you what Denis, I’ll pump you play!
I hope he did well on his deer hunt and was able to get at least a couple of good “freezer fillers”.
We actually have 3 deer in the freezer. We had an awesome fall deer hunt.
Ive done some light blacksmithing before at a local museum in an original shop from the 1800s and one of my favorite things about it was the double lung bellows I used, my pet project right now is a fireplace bellows for the woodstove, but I plan on building my own little shop, and aside from my own experiences, I'd like to thank you for sharing yours, they teach me beyond measure, and I am truly grateful. God bless.
It is so nice to hear someone say they have learned from our endeavors , it provides encouragement to continue, Joseph .
Man I was just about to go outside and forge myself an axe until I saw that you uploaded again. My axe can wait, this takes priority.
Well from one blacksmith to another, that is flattering !
Always cozy and relaxing to watch 👌😃👍
Glad you find it so.
What I would give to freely be able to live like this myself.
My goodness, don’t know what I was expecting in the way of bellows, but it sure wasn’t anything that huge. Congratulations on your first dear, I hope you two have the same luck on this hunt. Thank you for the wonderful video.
Big bellows means a hot fire. The hunting season has certainly started off well.
I have a 100 yr old forge blower made in Pa. I know that would be historically incorrect but never use it. I also bought a 1/2 ton of nut coal just sitting under a tarp. I built a homemade forge of sorts but i never get time to persue my dream hobby. You are amazing with what you build. Looks like that should work great! Be safe & luck on your deer hunt!
You should dust off all that old gear and find a comfortable hammer and get to it, you’ll find the hobby quite addictive.
Good morning Cathy & Peter. Looks as though you had a pair of mittens swimming in the pond. I had all intentions to run a trap line this year and it just hasn't happened.
Best of luck hunting the island. Deer are in full rut or maybe even about done and I've been sidelined with the covid. Doing good just don't want to make things worse.
If I ever make it over to the neighbors I'll be sure to let them know they owe you a couple shout outs.
Once again have a blessed and safe hunt my friend and best of luck and we'll see you down the road....... thank you.
Sorry to hear you god Covid , Michael. I hope you don’t have ongoing issues. I used to run a rap line years ago and those muskrats do make for warm garments.
I have made a couple of bellows for my wood stoves. They are on a much smaller scale than what you are making. They are a lot better than sticking my head in the stove to get the fire going. Love your videos.
Small fireplace bellows are a wonder item. Either that or a bow tube sure makes like easier.
Great video as always. Anticipating the first fire in the forge and the first blacksmith project.
As am I, getting close, perhaps a week after my hunt.
Brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing. 👏
Glad you enjoyed.
Another great video Peter. Best of luck with the hunt. 🙏🏻✌🏻
Thanks Scott. You as well if your a hunter.
@@TheWoodlandEscape thank you sir. Next month for me. Using a.50cal Hawken.
That will do the job.
Hello there Peter. Great to see you. Man I can't believe you're gonna leave us hanging on the leather,lol,it'll just make seeing you put it on much more enjoyable. Good luck on the hunt and garlic and you guys be careful. God bless
Thanks Phillip. Garlic is put to bed, one deer in the freezer and a couple to go and I think I’ll hibernate for the winter, lol.
Have a lovely and safe trip, Peter and Catherine! I am ignorance speaking, but in my wee mind, I should think that deer hunting is a; less beastly business than to seek a 'mastodon' (moose)! The adventure of 'getting away' from the home base and it's routine...gives the body a chance to 'recharge' (my take). 2 think of the fate of those who were 'volunteered' 2 B 'human bellows' is a sad sad thought. Our land was tamed but by costs, more than crude...tortuous! Lest we forget! U have accomplished so very much and all well done. It will B a nice thing 2 return home and B near the stage of; 'Firing Up'! I think Theodore Roosevelt sums up your 'work ethic' Peter; "Believe you can and you're half way there." Thank-U kindly 4 sharing Mr & Mrs. Kelly. Planting the garlic B 4 U leave, guarantees plenty of 'seasoning' 4 future hunts. :)
I’ve been going to Manitoulin Island since 1969 with my life long hunting companion Charlie. It is more, much more than a simple hunting trip it is more like a right of passage! Teddy got it spot on, intimidation of never done something should never stop one from taking the first step in self learning. As always Marie, a pleasure to hear from you.
Hi Peter! Once again, a wonderful video with wonderful bits. I love the progress you are making with the shop. Can't wait to see it put to use! Take care see ya on the next.👍
ThanksGil. We are getting pretty darn close now. Hope to be spending a lot of time n it come winter.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Whatever you decide to put up. Winter camping, History bits or forging. You can bet I will be watching!
I’m flattered!
The sky at the beginning of the video would have been worth the price of admission. Very interesting to watch what you're doing with the bellows and compare it to Townsends approach. After watching both of you one gets a pretty good idea of how to build them and how they work. Good hunting on Manitoulin!
Thanks James … these bellows are as complex as they are simple. On Manitoulin Island right now, season opens tomorrow.
this bellows look so nice and mighty!
I`d like to ask you about your gun. It is cold outside. So if you come from cold outside into the warm cabin I suppose you should have a condensate inside the barrel. did people use any measures to prevent this back in old days?
I would think they would be more interested in having that loaded musket close at hand for protection than worry about condensation. I use strictly rendered bear fat on my muskets and it does a pretty darn good job of dealing with moisture.
Very interesting video, I never really thought about how the bellows worked in a blacksmith shop. Should have paid more attention to my Uncle Bill. He used to make the horse shoes and other things back when I was a kid. Take care and keep your powder dry. Till next time
They are a wee bit more complicated than one would think. As to the Uncle of your, we would all be the wiser had we paired attention to our elders … it is not until we are one and no one listens to us that we realize how much knowledge we could have gained. Watch yer top top knot.
Hi Peter and Cathy, great video as usual, I was talking to Lloyd about running to leather bellows when his demonstrated at pioneer village. Apparently the valves had metal hinges and were prone to rusting and the valves not fully closing. Your system looks superior! When the valves leak the coal gas can blow back and burst the leather.
Perhaps you might consider a blow off valve for each chamber? It would be a good if not historically correct bit of safety kit? Could be as simple as another set of one way valves on the outer panels with heavier springs that would release an over pressure situation and save you from sewing torn leather, not to mention the boom would scare you out of your skin when it popped! Good luck on the hunt!
I’ve heard numerous stories of the scary boom … you suggest some good ideas.
Peter and Kathy please be safe honey your last video was very interesting how to put air to get the temperature up with a bellows amazing amazing idea in history especially from 4 00 BC with China I believe China and finding a lot of things I believe the gunpowder and somebody once told me pizza but I don't know how true that is about the pizza but I would like to say another interesting video I can't wait to see the finished product imagine there's a lot of balance to that Bella but like I said before it interests me I'm glad to hear you got one in the freezer already good luck with a couple more hopefully you'll get your tags all out and be able to have a wonderful year and not have to worry about the honey as far as dear goes thank you for the lovely comments they seem to guide me in life especially when I'm not feeling that well but some days are good some aren't so good but it's the idea of getting better and stronger and you both encourage me with your videos love always Freddie ❤️😀👍😎🇨🇦🛶
Those Chinese contributed a lot to many things we take for granted this days. We are glad that you get so much out of endeavors. Keep on the mend my friend.
Hello from Detroit Michigan USA Great video Brother thank you for taking us on your adventure through time and GOD-BLESS
Always a kind word, thank you.
Another excellent video! Good luck on your deer hunt!
Thanks John, on both comments.
Beautiful work on your blacksmith shop. May you be blessed with a deer on your hunting trip.
Appreciate that Beverly.
Well my friend your place looks so awesome with snow on the ground I got a whole bunch of my my digs where I'm at I got a 350 lb black bear this last weekend I got a whole bunch of meat for the winter and a really nice I'm going to make a coat out of it your shop looks great the bells look like they're coming along really good and I hope wish you guys really good luck on your next hunt and I'm going to start doing some steel here probably this this weekend I think I'm going to try to make me some candle holders that you can nail into the wall and in them I'm going to make some hinges maybe a couple of long forks that I could use for cooking outside I got some ideas so God bless you guys
Your like me , Larry, never short of ideas. Congratulations on your bear, your all set for the winter now. We’re hoping to put 2 more deer in the freezer next week.
Thanks for thanks for the reply and I'm sure you two will get it a couple more deer yeah I hate buying stuff from the store and stuff is so expensive and I like wild meat more than anything else you know it it's grass-fed and you know there's not a whole bunch of chemicals in them and I like bear meat yeah when I was living in Oregon a long time ago this is many years back that we would get a black bear every year it seemed like and once I got my kids used to it they really didn't want to eat anything else you'll eat that and deer and elk a whole lot of you know squirrels and stuff like that so I tried to get him make him learn as best I could you know and help him to learn that you know you can live off the land if you just know how to do it and if you got enough intestinal fortitude to go out and really want to do it but I got all the confidence in the world of it that you guys will get one you'll probably get two my prayers are with you too and I wish I had to carpentry skills that you do and I'm telling you it's really neat to see somebody that is so passionate about what you guys are doing you guys have good luck be safe and God bless you
Ps. Iam starting a new gun a 20g tulle fusil .....
That’s my favorite model. I love the lines!
120 Buddy. Catchin up. Lol
You still have a long row to hoe, lol. Thanks for your continued interest.
@@TheWoodlandEscape I'm well prepared with a hoe & plow. Lol
Very entertaining and educational. Aren’t you glad you didn’t live in China so long ago. Bellows must have been a huge leap forward. Fur season here will be going out for Pelts soon.
Great video! I did watch the Townsend video! He does have a lot of good videos! You asked if I hunt, when I can! I didn't get the time off this year, so we raised pigs! Processing is next week project!
You have a much more difficult job than I do!!
You shall soon be one of those old timers that knows whether the thunk of the valves is right or not. Good luck with your hunt!
That’s funny, I never thought of it that way but, your spot on!
Awesome! Happy Thanksgiving
And to you, too!
We celebrated our Thanksgiving in October.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Well Happy Third-Thursday-in-November Day 🙂
Brrrr, cold. Missing the summer already.
That may be a wee bit off!
Hope you have better luck than I did on your hunt, the shop looks great.
Thanks Gary. Is your hunting over? We have one in the freezer and are hoping for 2 more next week.
@@TheWoodlandEscape the regular rifle season ended here in Central Minnesota on November 13th, the blackpowder rifle opens in a month so hopefully I have better luck then.
Good luck.
Appreciate your efforts and dedication! Crazy weather. Interested in seeing your bellows get it's skin. You mentioned plans, what resources are you using for the design? I think I will finally be able to go on a hunt this weekend myself. Hope you see plenty of game and you can fill your cache! Thanks again and keep your powder dry!
I’ll have to get back to you on the author of the plans I’m using. Books back at the shop and I’m packing for a hunt. We have one in the freezer, so if we get skunked it won’t be the end of the world. We are hoping to get 2 more. Watch yer top knot.
Interesting video..thanks!
Best of luck on your deer hunt. Hope your shots are true.
Thanks William … aim small miss small!
@@TheWoodlandEscape Exactly!!
Great job so far Peter, lots of antique engineering. I was surprised at how large the bellows is, it’s going to push a lot of air. Will you use coal or charcoal for fuel?
It should produce a good hot fire. I actually use coal, charcoal and coke. The latter is not historically correct but, burns hot as hell.
As a person who live the life, I was wondering if you can see the improvements in the times you portray.. Do you live in the now as well?
I certainly live this life style a lot of the tie but,we also have a small modern home that we built. To answer your question, one can idea see the improvements, ideas and change from one generation to the next. Figuring out how they did stuff is both the challenge and the fun!
I watched your video earlier today but wanted to hold off on commenting until I could think about it for awhile. I'm trying to work out in my mind if using wooden pegs for hinges is a good idea or not. When I build mine, I was thinking of using leather hinges. However, the wooden pegs might be a better solution as long as they don't bind somehow. Please let us know how those work out. I'm very interested. Also, what exactly are you sewing on the leather? Can you show us that in your next video? The reason I'm asking is because the last bellows I participated in building we didn't sew any leather. We expanded each section and had enough leather to wrap around. We cut to size then attached using thin strips of wood and tacks. This was like 20 years ago, so my memory might be fuzzy. We may have sewed to attach two pieces together for length, but that was about it.
That should be the extent of my sewing as well. I will be using the same process as you did. I elongated the holes for the dowels, hopefully to allow the valves to float and avoid binding. As my grandmother used to say, “the proof is in the pudding”. She also has used to say, “There is many a slip between the cup and the lip.”
Am I correct that you would prefer the airflaps to be too light rather than too heavy? It seems to me that you can easily add more weight to the flaps by gluing wood or metal to them but if too heavy you will need to replace them completely. Great info as always. Thank you
I’d prefer them just the perfect weight and won’t know till the leather is attached. Your spot on though, if they are too light simply adding weight is a solutions , it is the access that is the problem.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Wow, I didn't think about the access!
May your hunt be successful! I am also a hunter.Although I use modern smokeless powder and load my own ammunition.
I'm curious to know if you will be using your musket? If so, will you use patched ball or buck shot loads.
This time around, I will be using my falling block, high wall Winchester in 45-70.
Are the bellows your take on planes you found? Looks great
They are taken from plans and the blacksmith who drew them escapes me at the moment.
Howdy Peter
Wow ! got snow , nothing here yet , in the north shore of Mass. Buffalo , NY is going to get many feet of snow this weekend....
Good luck with your hunt again ....
How many deer can you get with the musket per season up yonder ?
Does the size of the bellows determine how high of the temperature ?
Are you planning on extracting iron from some rocks ?
Do you have to seal the leather to the wood with bear fat ?
All good questions, Bruce. Before I get to them, poor Buffalo sure does get the brunt of the fury of lake effect from Erie. I’ll be hundreds of miles north by tomorrow afternoon so missing the big dump. Large bellows produce more air volume and hence more heat. I’ve never dabbled at smelting ore but, I’d like to learn how. My wife and I are allowed one deer tag each but,in some units one can apply for and extra bow only tag. We have one in the freezer and 2 tags left … shaping up to be a good year. After tacking the leather to the bellows I will follow up by steam bending some strait ash and covering the tacks. Should be pretty airtight.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Thanks a lot Peter
When you folks hunt - is it with black powder guns?
Mostly but, I do use centre fire rifle for moose hunting.
Do you have the plans you used for your bellows? I'd really like to make one, but I don't know how big to make them for a traditional forge like that.
Hi Connor, I used Aldren A. Watson plans. He has a great book that is still available that has complete scale drawings. Hope this helps.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Thank you very much sir, I really appreciate it! The book itself looks like a very worthwhile investment as well.
It is indeed worth the cost.
Another great one. I like your capot. Am I safe assuming you took your deer with muzzleloaders? That's all I hunt with anymore except for a falling block 22lr for squirrels.
We do hunt with muzzleloaders, but, I’m going to try my falling block high wall Winchester in 45-70 for the next hunt.
Pete, the term is "venturi" - not "ventura".
I stand corrected, thank you.
is that cow leather?
It is indeed. vegetable tanned cow hides.
Do you ever show these implements, parts and pieces etc. actually being made?
I’m afraid we did not film much of the process. If your interested in building some yourself please email you and I’ll give you lots of detail.
Do your feet ever get cold in those moccasins?
Also is your flint lock always loaded in these videos, and if so how long do you keep it loaded before changing loads?
Do you strictly hunt with your flint lock, or do you use modern guns on your deer hunting trips?
I’ve got a thousand questions I’d like to ask but I won’t, 😁
If the snow is really wet and temperatures are around the freezing mark, yes. When I trek I always carry a dry pair in my bed roll. I will go about 4 to 5 days with the same charge, than either shoot it off for target practice or pull the ball. I’ve never had it not go off so I could possibly extend the time. I douse my flintlocks for deer but, when we go moose hunting carry a centre fire 338 Winchester Mag. Ask away Craig, I love sharing as much as I like getting information from those more knowledgeable.
@@TheWoodlandEscape thank you much for answering, I always look forward to new vids, and rewatch a lot of them.
If you haven’t gone yet good luck on the hunt, and good idea on the moose, as I hear they can be quite a handful when mad.
Not so much the mad part it is more the distances that I’ve harvested them in the past, often out 3 to 5 yards and with a musket no chance for a shoot. Cathy and I both tagged out on Manitoulin and had a deer gifted to us, so 3 in the freezer.
@@TheWoodlandEscape 3 to 5yds, or do you mean hundreds
Was curious if mice can get in the bellows and create havoc ?
I have indeed thought of that, Harry. I’m hoping that usage will prevent that very problem … time will tell.
I wonder if you could put a screen in strategic places ?
you might like to look at the bellows built by ´big dog forge´ he does not use a flapper vale. He used a square of leather nailed on each corner. When you pump it balloons up letting air in but then the air forces it back down and the leather seals the hole. It is a clever idea. ua-cam.com/video/iK8-B4bYXBA/v-deo.html
Thanks so much Darren, I’ll have a look.
I think I would use some tape and plastic or heavy tarp just to prove the valves good luck 👍🤞
One more quick question and I’ll leave you alone, what are the basic dimensions of your shooting pouch? The small one you always carry
About 8 “ square, give or take a tad. I find it the ideal size.
@@TheWoodlandEscape thanks
Your history missed bag bellows.
It did indeed.
Great video as always, but please stop saying, "if you would."
Thank you , it is indeed a bad habit. Funny you mention it as we were just talking about that this morning before releasing this episode and I said to Cathy, I need to stop saying that,lol
@@TheWoodlandEscape
Hey Peter,🏺You just be You,⚡Please♥️♥️♥️🧡💜
Much Love🎶🎵🎶🎵🏺
Sandy
Good luck deer .h unt
Thanks Mike and you as well if your hunting. We do have one in the freezer.