Uilleann bending brass for bass drone

How I use a low-temperature bismuth alloy in bending brass for an uilleann bass drone. After completing the bends, I remove the bismuth alloy by placing the tubes in a baking pan filled with water. The hot alloy just pours out and leaves no residue. The small crooks are made of 3/8 OD brass tubing with a wall thickness of .029, and the large crook is 7/16 tubing with a .029 wall thickness. The smaller bend's inside radius is a bit less than 11/16 inch and the larger is 31/32 inch.

[@Marcblur]

That was impressive!

[@PDarcy]

Nicely done Sir!

[@epitomichi]

To return the brass to its bright finish, I clean the tubing with steel wool and then polish it using a buffing wheel. I purchased the Low Temperature Cerrobend on eBay from a merchant called "Grapebooks". You can use lead as an alternative to Cerrobend, but you will need to work at higher temperatures. You can also fill tubing with water and freeze it, but if you use ice you will need to work fast before it melts. You will need to take the lamp apart to make the bends.

[@sandb1867]

Wow, thanks for sharing.

[@epitomichi]

The smaller bend's inside radius is a bit less than 11/16 inch and the larger is 31/32 inch. Micarta is a hard phenolic resin that makes a good bushing, but it is slow to turn and gives of toxic fumes as it is worked. I bought the micarta on eBay. A good hardwood would be fine for the bender's bushing, but not as durable as micarta.

[@epitomichi]

To remove the alloy after bending, I place the bent tube in a pan of boiling water. After a minute in the boiling water the alloy pours out.

[@Odinpiper]

@epitomichi
Would be nice to hear how good your Uilleann pipe sounds. I like the looks of the Cocobola. I Wish to have a set made out of ebony with the brass and Cocobola mounts.
Think it would look good. Do you make Uilleann pipes for sale? Thanks for posting, was very impressed to see how Uilleann pipes are made.

[@frotz661]

Very interesting. Cocobolo looks much more interesting than African blackwood.

[@Snipingpiper]

very nice , was curious how that was done. thanks

[@kevishandsome]

Do you have plans you are using for the drones?

[@bobble991]

Nice bends. What radius are they? Also Im in the uk, what is micarta?

[@earanwe]

May I ask you about sizes you use on tubes, and sizes on woods? thank you