Handstitched Report post Posted March 21, 2015 G'day, I may have a future task of restoring some blacksmith bellows.It will be my first set of black smith bellows, if I get the job. I hope I do, as my profile does state 'challenging projects' . I have done fire place bellows before , but this is way WAY different. I don't have any pics to show you ( yet). I have seen them. They are approx 100 years old, and the leather is in pretty poor shape. They are in a local vintage machinery museum...and in a tight place to remove, so a few weeks advance notice is required, if all goes ahead. I have only attached a sample pic. to give you some idea. Has anyone restored and/or replaced the leather/s on blacksmith bellows? The first thing I thought of doing, is take as many pics as possible from every angle before I even start, not just for a 'before, during & after' diary, but most importantly , as a reference to make sure everything goes back as it should. No need to take apart all the wood or the nozzle, as I am only replacing the leather. But no doubt I will clean up the wood, sand down, stain or oil etc. give it a spruce up. But any other advice, helpful hints tips etc. would be greatly appreciated , especially the removal of all the those domed nails. Keep & clean and re-use? If I do get the job, it will be a good learning experience for me, and perhaps a 'step back in time' to see how they are constructed. I also hope to find a makers mark. Thanks heaps HS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGGUNDOCTOR Report post Posted March 21, 2015 Are they looking to use the bellows, or just for show? A special nail puller could easily be made to get under the heads, and save the originals. I would be very sparing on any "sprucing up", as what makes antiques neat to see is the patina they get from decades of use. Otherwise it will just look like a new one with no history to show. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handstitched Report post Posted March 22, 2015 G'day and thank you for your reply Knowing the owners of the museum, I would think that they would want them be a workable show piece, but not to use in actual smithing. But you're right about keeping the patina , too much 'love' is not always a good thing. Keeping the original nails was my line of thinking as well. I'm sure I have some old tools, or some scrap metal...somewhere, that I don't mind modifying for the job. Thank you very much HS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGGUNDOCTOR Report post Posted March 22, 2015 You can also look into this site. www.Iforgeiron.com. they have a bellows section, and several members down in OZ. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
