Recent content by Iain Allen

Curious how this will help me with my project. I realise its a hijacked thread, maybe start a new thread.

Thanks everyone for the advice, and I think I will make something myself as suggested. I dug out an old Bosch POF50 that had been languishing in drawer, it didn't work but does now - still needs a bit of tic but will be good enough to experiment with. Keep any ideas and suggestions coming, it...

I am looking for advice about buying a router and table to do some simple template routing, I don’t really know anything about routing although I am researching on the internet, it’s not something I ever thought I’d need to know about. I did look at spindle moulders but sadly my workshop isn’t...

I bought the FU180 twister plus extension bed and work steady from Simon Hope about 2 years ago and I'm very happy with it. I had a Tyme Cub before. Wish I'd made the change before. If you're going to view at Simons beware - he has a nice shop with lots of woodturning accessories. Very easy to...

Hi Previously I had a Tyme Cub but about 18 months ago I bought the Twister from Simon Hope and I'm very happy with it. Its very smooth and quiet compared to my Cub, I've not had a chance to use every setting and I mainly do spindle turning but I'm really glad I bought it. A fellow turner down...

Sadly Simon Hope stopped making smallpipes, Border pipes and practice chanters a few years back but he says he still facies making a set or two if or when time allows. 6-7 months isn't that long to wait for a hand made instrument, I was being quoted 3-5 years for a set of Uilleann Pipes...

As Philip says above a gun drill is the best thing to use, D bits can be used but I prefer gun drills. I bought mine from Hammonds, I think it was about £60 at the time. If intending to make a lot of pcs then this is a worthwhile expense. Hammonds were good to deal with and very helpful when I...

Yew can make nice smallpipes, Ross Calderwood over at Lochalsh Pipes has been using it and making some really nice sets. It may be worth asking him about using it. I personally wouldn't use it for a practice chanter even if you fit a plastic mouthpiece, I'd rather be safe than sorry especially...

Had to try. :) I've a few old tools with good blades. Good tools are good no matter who made them. Iain

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Pass them to me and I'll put even better handles on them. :D

As mentioned Etsy, Ebay and social media. Beware of fees to these options. Other alternatives numonday lower fees than eBay. folksy commission plus subscription based with different tiers. I've only used Ebay and can't comment on the other options. There are more options, Google Etsy...

As previously mentioned its used a lot for woodwind instruments. I have a flute made from the stuff plus Uilleann pipes, Scottish smallpipes, border pipes and Northumbrian smallpipes, great tonal qualities. Its also used for decorative parts on instruments.