Building a Leather Lung Bellows: Log Cabin Blacksmith Shop Build |1800's | PIONEER LIFE | HISTORY | 

Heck it is not your hands I need, but rather, your ears, lol. It sounds ( no pun intended) like you are in a very interesting trade! Thanks for the information.

Well James, as the saying goes, better late than never. Are garlic is now put to bed for the winter.

Thanks Jeff.

Always a kind word to say, Tammy … thank you so much.

Thank you, James.

Thanks Jan. I’ve been going to the same camp since 1969 … not simply a camp, more like a right of passage!

And as always, an encouraging word, Mark. Appreciate your continued support.

Thanks Hayward. Checkout the email I sent you.

Well from one blacksmith to another, that is flattering !

You live in a beautiful State and as understand a very healthy population of whitetail deer, so all the best on your hunt as well. I am getting pretty excited about hearing the ring of the anvil all be it in a few more weeks.

Thanks Stephen. I’m on Manitoulin Island right now, season opens tomorrow morning.

Most think the same of winter in the North as you do, Victor. I’m actually a huge fan, lol. Your the second person to suggest that I will soon be the old timer that knows the proper sound.

Tell you what Denis, I’ll pump you play!

You still have a long row to hoe, lol. Thanks for your continued interest.

@@TheWoodlandEscape I'm well prepared with a hoe & plow. Lol

Yup, I’m on board with that as well. Just a few more weeks!

Thanks Earl.

Those are some wonderful ideas, I’ll be mulling all of them over on my hunt next week. Fine tune the valves, brilliant!

Lots of air flow is the objective … I’ll know soon how well it works.

Thank you.

Thanks, Donald.

Thanks Warren.

It is so nice to hear someone say they have learned from our endeavors , it provides encouragement to continue, Joseph .

I would think they would be more interested in having that loaded musket close at hand for protection than worry about condensation. I use strictly rendered bear fat on my muskets and it does a pretty darn good job of dealing with moisture.

You should dust off all that old gear and find a comfortable hammer and get to it, you’ll find the hobby quite addictive.

Thanks James … these bellows are as complex as they are simple. On Manitoulin Island right now, season opens tomorrow.

You are too kind!

They are a wee bit more complicated than one would think. As to the Uncle of your, we would all be the wiser had we paired attention to our elders … it is not until we are one and no one listens to us that we realize how much knowledge we could have gained. Watch yer top top knot.

I love learning from others and also like sharing my own wee bits of knowledge.

We actually have 3 deer in the freezer. We had an awesome fall deer hunt.

Thanks, Elwood.

Small fireplace bellows are a wonder item. Either that or a bow tube sure makes like easier.

Sorry to hear you god Covid , Michael. I hope you don’t have ongoing issues. I used to run a rap line years ago and those muskrats do make for warm garments.

I’ve heard numerous stories of the scary boom … you suggest some good ideas.

I’ve been going to Manitoulin Island since 1969 with my life long hunting companion Charlie. It is more, much more than a simple hunting trip it is more like a right of passage! Teddy got it spot on, intimidation of never done something should never stop one from taking the first step in self learning. As always Marie, a pleasure to hear from you.

Big bellows means a hot fire. The hunting season has certainly started off well.

That’s funny, I never thought of it that way but, your spot on!

Those Chinese contributed a lot to many things we take for granted this days. We are glad that you get so much out of endeavors. Keep on the mend my friend.

Thanks Phillip. Garlic is put to bed, one deer in the freezer and a couple to go and I think I’ll hibernate for the winter, lol.

As am I, getting close, perhaps a week after my hunt.

Glad you find it so.

Appreciate that Beverly.

Always a kind word, thank you.

ThanksGil. We are getting pretty darn close now. Hope to be spending a lot of time n it come winter.

@@TheWoodlandEscape Whatever you decide to put up. Winter camping, History bits or forging. You can bet I will be watching!

I’m flattered!

Thanks Scott. You as well if your a hunter.

@@TheWoodlandEscape thank you sir. Next month for me. Using a.50cal Hawken.

That will do the job.

That should be the extent of my sewing as well. I will be using the same process as you did. I elongated the holes for the dowels, hopefully to allow the valves to float and avoid binding. As my grandmother used to say, “the proof is in the pudding”. She also has used to say, “There is many a slip between the cup and the lip.”

Glad you enjoyed.

Appreciate your kind words, Wolfmaan.

Thanks John, on both comments.

I certainly live this life style a lot of the tie but,we also have a small modern home that we built. To answer your question, one can idea see the improvements, ideas and change from one generation to the next. Figuring out how they did stuff is both the challenge and the fun!

That may be a wee bit off!

You have a much more difficult job than I do!!

Your like me , Larry, never short of ideas. Congratulations on your bear, your all set for the winter now. We’re hoping to put 2 more deer in the freezer next week.

Thanks for thanks for the reply and I'm sure you two will get it a couple more deer yeah I hate buying stuff from the store and stuff is so expensive and I like wild meat more than anything else you know it it's grass-fed and you know there's not a whole bunch of chemicals in them and I like bear meat yeah when I was living in Oregon a long time ago this is many years back that we would get a black bear every year it seemed like and once I got my kids used to it they really didn't want to eat anything else you'll eat that and deer and elk a whole lot of you know squirrels and stuff like that so I tried to get him make him learn as best I could you know and help him to learn that you know you can live off the land if you just know how to do it and if you got enough intestinal fortitude to go out and really want to do it but I got all the confidence in the world of it that you guys will get one you'll probably get two my prayers are with you too and I wish I had to carpentry skills that you do and I'm telling you it's really neat to see somebody that is so passionate about what you guys are doing you guys have good luck be safe and God bless you

Ps. Iam starting a new gun a 20g tulle fusil .....

That’s my favorite model. I love the lines!

I’ll have to get back to you on the author of the plans I’m using. Books back at the shop and I’m packing for a hunt. We have one in the freezer, so if we get skunked it won’t be the end of the world. We are hoping to get 2 more. Watch yer top knot.

And to you, too!

We celebrated our Thanksgiving in October.

@@TheWoodlandEscape Well Happy Third-Thursday-in-November Day 🙂

Thanks Gary. Is your hunting over? We have one in the freezer and are hoping for 2 more next week.

@@TheWoodlandEscape the regular rifle season ended here in Central Minnesota on November 13th, the blackpowder rifle opens in a month so hopefully I have better luck then.

Good luck.

It should produce a good hot fire. I actually use coal, charcoal and coke. The latter is not historically correct but, burns hot as hell.

Thanks William … aim small miss small!

@@TheWoodlandEscape Exactly!!

That’s a great idea. I’m hoping the dowels will work, as well. I elongated the holes so that the valves are essentially floating. Fingers crossed.

I’d prefer them just the perfect weight and won’t know till the leather is attached. Your spot on though, if they are too light simply adding weight is a solutions , it is the access that is the problem.

@@TheWoodlandEscape Wow, I didn't think about the access!

Hi Connor, I used Aldren A. Watson plans. He has a great book that is still available that has complete scale drawings. Hope this helps.

@@TheWoodlandEscape Thank you very much sir, I really appreciate it! The book itself looks like a very worthwhile investment as well.

It is indeed worth the cost.

This time around, I will be using my falling block, high wall Winchester in 45-70.

All good questions, Bruce. Before I get to them, poor Buffalo sure does get the brunt of the fury of lake effect from Erie. I’ll be hundreds of miles north by tomorrow afternoon so missing the big dump. Large bellows produce more air volume and hence more heat. I’ve never dabbled at smelting ore but, I’d like to learn how. My wife and I are allowed one deer tag each but,in some units one can apply for and extra bow only tag. We have one in the freezer and 2 tags left … shaping up to be a good year. After tacking the leather to the bellows I will follow up by steam bending some strait ash and covering the tacks. Should be pretty airtight.

@@TheWoodlandEscape Thanks a lot Peter

Thanks so much Darren, I’ll have a look.

They are taken from plans and the blacksmith who drew them escapes me at the moment.

We do hunt with muzzleloaders, but, I’m going to try my falling block high wall Winchester in 45-70 for the next hunt.

I’m afraid we did not film much of the process. If your interested in building some yourself please email you and I’ll give you lots of detail.

If the snow is really wet and temperatures are around the freezing mark, yes. When I trek I always carry a dry pair in my bed roll. I will go about 4 to 5 days with the same charge, than either shoot it off for target practice or pull the ball. I’ve never had it not go off so I could possibly extend the time. I douse my flintlocks for deer but, when we go moose hunting carry a centre fire 338 Winchester Mag. Ask away Craig, I love sharing as much as I like getting information from those more knowledgeable.

@@TheWoodlandEscape thank you much for answering, I always look forward to new vids, and rewatch a lot of them. If you haven’t gone yet good luck on the hunt, and good idea on the moose, as I hear they can be quite a handful when mad.

Not so much the mad part it is more the distances that I’ve harvested them in the past, often out 3 to 5 yards and with a musket no chance for a shoot. Cathy and I both tagged out on Manitoulin and had a deer gifted to us, so 3 in the freezer.

@@TheWoodlandEscape 3 to 5yds, or do you mean hundreds

It is indeed. vegetable tanned cow hides.

Mostly but, I do use centre fire rifle for moose hunting.

I stand corrected, thank you.

About 8 “ square, give or take a tad. I find it the ideal size.

@@TheWoodlandEscape thanks

I have indeed thought of that, Harry. I’m hoping that usage will prevent that very problem … time will tell.

I wonder if you could put a screen in strategic places ?

That’s a brilliant idea , Bill, thank you.

I'm glad I could help I think I am as anxious as you are to see it in action the whole shop that is not just the bellows good luck with your hunt too

Thanks Bill, I appreciate that.

It did indeed.

Thank you , it is indeed a bad habit. Funny you mention it as we were just talking about that this morning before releasing this episode and I said to Cathy, I need to stop saying that,lol

@@TheWoodlandEscape Hey Peter,🏺You just be You,⚡Please♥️♥️♥️🧡💜 Much Love🎶🎵🎶🎵🏺 Sandy

Thanks Mike and you as well if your hunting. We do have one in the freezer.