MELBOURNE WORLD CHAMPION BAGPIPER FOR HIRE

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FOR SALE	CHANTER REEDS	BAGPIPE MCS

MOISTURE CONTROL SYSTEM

This is a bagpipe moisture control system that I put together in 2009. It has been used successfully by a number of Australian bands, including Victoria Scottish, Scotch College Melbourne, Scots School Albury and the Rats Of Tobruk Memorial Pipes & Drums.

It is best suited for use with synthetic drone reeds that don't work well in an open bag or when exposed to excessive moisture. It is not recommended for use with cane drone reeds or for those seeking the ultimate in depth and volume. It is more for lower-grade bands who need good moisture control, good volume and easy starts and stops.

There is also a high air-flow option, which has almost no restriction of air-pressure to the drone reeds. This results in more volume and depth of tone, but will make stopping less easy.

It is made entirely from off-the-shelf components and would be relatively easy for any piper to duplicate. It is based on the use of 1/2 inch BSP with a 19mm barb fittings. These include the canisters, the straight connectors and the elbows, which fit inside the stocks. Canisters simply thread onto the straight connectors, resulting in a totally reliable fitting.

The dessicant used is 3mm to 5mm white silica gel beads.

It also includes a water-trap tube that extends to the back of the bag, then up and towards the front, removing the risk of collected moisture blowing into the bag. It is emptied after each playing session as normal. This extends the effectiveness of the silica gel beads and avoids the chanter reed from becoming too wet. Due to this, there is no need for a chanter tube.

The system is available for sale, which includes 3 canisters, silica gel beads, 3 black tubes and 1 grey water-trap tube.

STANDARD MOISTURE CONTROL SYSTEM: AUD $60.00

HIGH AIR-FLOW MOISTURE CONTROL SYSTEM: AUD $80.00

AUSTRALIA SHIPPING: AUD $10.00 for 1 system.

Shipping fees for multiple systems will need to be quoted.

Payment methods include cash, cheque, bank transfer and Paypal.

Purchase of a system includes a money-back guarantee if you find it unsuitable for your needs.

MOISTURE CONTROL SYSTEM INSTRUCTIONS

STANDARD MOISTURE CONTROL SYSTEM

HIGH AIR-FLOW MOISTURE CONTROL SYSTEM

INSTRUCTIONS

INSTALLING BLACK TUBING

The threaded end of the elbows should be fitted to the bottom of the 3 drone stocks. Depending on the size of the stock bore, they will either need sanding down (sandpaper provided) or hemping to fit. They may fit as they are.

The fitting should be the same as for a drone stock joint - firm but not too tight.

Over time they may loosen slightly, so it pays to occasionally check and add hemp if required.

INSTALLING CANISTERS

The 3 canisters thread onto the straight connector on the end of the black tubes. Do not over-tighten these. Just twist until they grab and that is enough.

The RED taped canister goes to the bass drone, as it allows for extra air-flow.

CANISTER LIDS

Holding the canister in a vertical position, carefully twist and pull up to remove the lids. A twisting action is also best when replacing them. It is important to ensure that the lids are fully pushed on.

If a lid is too tight, apply the smallest amount of pipe bag zip grease inside the lid. If it is too loose, wrap some waxed hemp around the threads of the canister body.

DRYING SILICA GEL BEADS

Drying the beads can be done in a microwave or normal oven.

If using a microwave, place a paper towel onto a microwave safe plate. Slowly pour the beads onto the towel, which helps to avoid them bouncing around. Heat them on half power for 4 minutes, then allow to cool for 10, stirring occasionally to aid evaporation. Heat them again at half power for another 4 minutes, after which allow them to cool to room temperature. Again, the occasional stir will aid evaporation.

If you use a normal oven, skip the paper towel and heat them at 90 degrees for 1 hour, then allow to cool to room temperature.

Refilling the canisters is best done with a desert spoon, taking care to avoid spilling at the sides of the spoon. When almost full, tap the canister to settle the beads, then top up to a couple of millimetres short of the very top.

The beads provided are non-indicating, so it comes down to experience to know when to dry them. On average, once every 3 to 4 weeks should be enough for most pipers. As a matter of course, they should always be dried prior to a competition.

INSTALLING WATER-TRAP TUBE

The water-trap will maximise the drying capacity of the silica gel beads and keep the chanter reed from becoming too wet

The threaded end of the elbow attaches to the bottom of the blowpipe stock. It will either need sanding down or teflon tape to fit. Hopefully it will fit as it is. Avoid using hemp here as it can swell from the moisture passing through the stock.

The water-trap tube is intended to go to the back of the bag, then curl up and then towards the front. This gives a large surface area for air to condensate, helping to keep the chanter reed dry. Initially, the tube may need to be pushed down to the bottom rear corner in order to train it to take that shape.

Empty the water-trap tube either via the blowpipe stock (tipping the pipes upside down) or via the back after each playing session.

During warm weather, you may get very little moisture build up.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

There is no chanter tube option. This avoids High A issues and in my opinion makes the reed easier to play. With the breathability of synthetic bags and the water-trap tube, there should not be problems with excessive moisture on the reed, though some moisture collecting around the reed (on top of the chanter tenon) is normal in cooler weather.

Occasionally check the black tubing and the water-trap tube for splitting. Avoiding excessive pressure when packing away the pipes this will maximise the lifespan of the tubing.

While airtight, it is normal for the connectors to twist inside the tubing.

Removing the blowpipe is recommended when packing the pipes away due to the bulk of the water-trap tube.

SPARE BEADS

Spare beads can be purchased here: https://www.silicagel.com.au/silica-gel-beads-loose/

Either the Orange or White beads are fine to use. Some Blue beads can be toxic, so avoid these in-case.

WARRANTY

Assuming no misuse of the system has occurred, I will cover all canisters and black tubes for life.

Effectiveness of the Silica Gel beads is covered for 2 years. I have found that as long as they are not over-heated, the beads can be regenerated indefinitely.

The grey tube is covered for 2 years. If fitted in a tight pipe box, it is possible for it to split close to the elbow. In this case, cut the grey tube at the split, remove the remainder from the elbow and reattach the grey tube. This can be done 3 or 4 times before it becomes too short.

For any questions or concerns, please use the contact details below.