Bellows Frame

[Mike Pierceall]

Some photos of a simple bellows frame I constructed from odd scraps of wood. The inner core of the armature is built up of thicknesses of wood glued together and then then cut to dimension on a table saw. I then tacked shims on the facets to bring the frame up to match the inner dimension of the bellows when fully expanded. In this way it can be adapted to fit various sizes.

[alex_holden]

I see, thanks!

[david robertson]

Having built something similar a few years ago, it dawned on me that, because of geometry, it is completely unnecessary to have a hexagonal shape - and something of a disadvantage if you're building bellows for an Aeola or Edeophone!

All you really need is a cylinder of the correct diameter. (I now have a fine collection of aluminium tubes, plastic drainage pipes and even cardboard postal tubes!)

[Chris Ghent]

I find facets handy when gluing gussets.

[Mike Pierceall]

You're right, of course. The hexagon is based on a circle. Cutting a hex on a table saw was pretty easy for me, though, and I can make it to suit. Mike

[Mike Pierceall]

David, I'm intrigued. How do you suspend the tube for rotating the bellows from one side to the next? Some sort of hanger arrangement? My form sits in a cradle and pivots on dowels, for instance. Mike

[david robertson]

My tubes are suspended in a cradle just like yours. I glue a square bit of MDF with the corners rounded off into each end of the tube, drill a hole at the centre of each end, and stick a length of dowel through.