Jeff Bly Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 What do you reckon an old antique bellows is worth? It is a full size blacksmiths forge bellows. It is supposedly from circa 1900, but I am researching that now. I saw it in an antique store and they said they were going to turn it into a table for a New York City restaurant. I paid $275 for it. It was supposed to have come from the Old Sturbridge Village in MA, but I contacted them and they said there shop didn't have bellows when they aqquired the shop, so I don't know if what I have is authentic or not. I was told that the old Sears catalog sold blacksmith bellows if it was circa 1900, but I have to try and find identifying marks on it somewhere first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Depends on the condition of the bellows, and what people are willing to pay for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hammer Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 If the bellows is in good shape, the price you paid is probably fair. Most old Great bellows need to be re-built and that involves substantial effort and money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Are you happy with the deal? Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysdexik Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 I just built a pair of bellows "on the cheap" plywood leaves, and 4oz leather (I normaly use 6oz) and it cost me more than that. Sounds like a winner to me!! Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Bly Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 Frosty, Yes, I am VERY happywith the deal!!! To get a bellows that may actually have some history in it is worth all the price to me. Even if it's just a generic bellows, it was used for the craft for which I wish to return it. Besides, if there is history, that's priceless. For everything else, there's Mastercard.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Well, there you go then. Congratulations! Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Sounds good to me, congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Bly Posted March 24, 2009 Author Share Posted March 24, 2009 I finally got some pics. Some nice, some not so nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Jeff, looks good to me, I have been looking at those for a while now, and that one is pretty complete, where are you in NY? Never heard of your town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billp Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 That really looks great I would say you did OK on the price. Which brings up a question, does anyone have a pattern on how to build a bellows? Size of the bellows does not matter as I can adjust for that. I really would like to build one to use at domestications as I get better. I would like to portray a 1800's to maybe early 1900's blacksmith. I know I could use a hand cranked blower but I can't build that, not yet anyway. Just all in my plain as I hope I progress. Bill P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I've built one and used it for about 15 years---See the picture? Bellows takes 3 solid layers and perhaps 2 "horseshoe" layers to keep the leathers from ballooning out. Bottom two solid layers have valves in them oriented so they can lift up but close down. (and can't flip over) Snout is set up to connect only to the top "lung" of the bellows. In use the center solid layer is held rigid in the frame, the bottom layer drops down letting air into the bottom lung. The pull pole is connected to the bottom solid layer so when you pull down on the lever the bottom rises closing the bottom valves and pushing the air into the top lung where it both raises the top board and escapes through the bellows snout into the tuyere. Note that the snout should not need a check valve as air is always going *out* in use. One grace note is to adjust the fulcrum of the pull pole so it pumps easily---I could pump mine to forge welding temps with my pinky, a friend used a badly arranged one for over a decade at a historical site that took great effort to use and has shoulder damage from using it---ugh... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Bly Posted March 24, 2009 Author Share Posted March 24, 2009 Divermike - I'm about 5 miles north of Albany. I'm pretty happy with my find. Bellows like this must be starting to be hard to come by. All the leather needs to be replaced. I'll probably use a hand cranked blower for now and restore the bellows as a side project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 BP0127 Bellows Construction &BP0141 Building a BellowsBellows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Bly Posted March 24, 2009 Author Share Posted March 24, 2009 All I can say after reading all that is that I'm glad I bought my bellows. Also I can say I'm glad I picked blacksmithing as a craft, and not carpentry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billp Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Thanks for the info at some point in time I'll put it to use. I have been working with wood most of my life but just finished my first real wood shop this year. Now I'll really have a reason to put it to use, will also have to build a blacksmith shop now as well. (wood floor in the wood shop) Thanks again folks Bill P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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