Bagpipe tricks and tips #5. Oiling pipes

In this video I’ll show you how to properly oil a set of pipes. The oil I use is from the Doctor’s Products. Here is the link to the oil I buy. www.doctorspro... They also sell synthetic oil which costs quite a bit less.
I got my brushes from the Piper’s Hut. www.thepipersh...
And here is the pull-through. www.thepipersh...
If you have any questions or a topic you want me to address, please let them in the comments section.

[@eugenthemain3509]

I really enjoy your good humour in your Videos. Also your knowledge is quite helpful for a new piper like me. Thanks for that :D

[@sandiegobagpiper]

Thank you for the compliment. I hope your piping is coming along well.

[@bagpiperbrisbanerobinlivin9861]

So Richard, I have a 60 years old set of Gillanders, never been oiled. I live in Brisbane Australia, sub tropical and often v humid. Is it worth starting to oil then now?

[@bagpiperbrisbanerobinlivin9861]

So Richard, I have a 60 years old set of Gillanders and they have never been oiled. Is it a good idea to start now?

[@SPRBagpiper]

Hi Richard, I'm enjoying your videos. Do you have a method for gauging the frequency with which to oil a set of pipes?

[@sandiegobagpiper]

I try to oil my ebony pipes twice per year and my Blackwood and cocuswood sets once per year. Since I live in Southern California, and it’s really dry here, I oil them quite frequently.
I think it’s easier to tell on ebony, when it is needed, than it is on most other woods.

[@morrissamuelgermansky4630]

Do you remove the exterior finish (wax/varnish) on the pieces before oiling? Also, do you have any tips about oiling the interior and exterior of the drone pins when they have metal slides on the exterior? Thank you!

[@sandiegobagpiper]

I would remove anything on the outside. I don’t think it looks good and stops the oil from penetrating. You can probably remove the slides, but I wouldn’t if it’s a set of ABW pipes. I would just oil the inside of the pins. If it’s an old set of ebony pipes, I would probably remove the slides and oil the outside first.

[@frederickwilson8189]

Hi Richard. You don’t mention at the end wether you wipe any excess oil off the outside with dry cloth or not? Many thanks👍

[@sandiegobagpiper]

Great question. I should have said something about that. If the oil doesn’t get fully absorbed, I do wipe it off. That is usually never the case with Ebony, but with ABW, cocobolo, and cocuswood, it definitely does happen.

[@KidCatypus]

Hilarious videos 😂 Subscribe, subscribe, subscribe!!!!
Question for you. I had an old set of MacDougall’s but they had a hand rubbed wax finish applied not so long ago and I’m hesitant to remove it but I know if I oil outside, nothing will permeate. Am I playing with dynamite here if I lightly oil the inside only? 😬

[@sandiegobagpiper]

Are they Ebony of ABW?

[@KidCatypus]

@@sandiegobagpiper Ebony

[@KidCatypus]

I’ve just been waiting here by my phone. 😂

[@loymedic]

@@KidCatypusI use renaissance wax, and the oils goes through it. And after drying excess on the outside, I put new wax on. Works awesome.