Is Your Bagpipe Bag Leaking Air!!!It is always a good idea to check your pipe bag for leaks. Even the very best bags can develop leaks over time and this will lead to it taking more lung power to keep the bagpipes going.
Here is a quick check.
1. I first remove chanter and drones and carefully put them aside to avoiding damage to the reeds, the chanter and drones.
2. Next, I install rubber corks in the drone stocks and the pipe chanter stock.
3. I then use the blow stick to inflate the bag fully.
4. I set the bag down, propped so that the blow stick is pointing up and leave it for a bit.After a minute or so if I can see no appreciable drop in the angle of the blow stick or the bag has not become too soft, it is safe to assume that the bag is more or less airtight.
Bagpipe Maintenance Leak Repair Check List1. If you notice that your bag appears to be leaking then the first thing to check will be the blowpipe flap valve. In order to check this you must inflate the bag and listen to the blowpipe by placing your ear close to it. You might also be able to feel the leak on the skin of your cheek. If it appears the blow stick valve is not the culprit then further troubleshooting need to be done.
2. First you will need to completely deflate the bag and remove the pipe bag pipe cover. Next, re-inflate the bag and apply a slightly soapy solution around the junction of the bag and stock looking for bubbles to indicate a leak. Often more than one leak will appear.Still no sign of a leak then it is possible that the bag itself is leaking, usually along the seam or in the case of a newer, zippered bag, along the zipper closure.)
3. In the case of a hide bag leak, simple seasoning of the bag may take care of the problem when the leak is from along the seam or at the collars or stocks.
4. Larger leaks in the seam, Small tears and Pinhole leaks not cured by the seasoning can be successfully repaired with Liquid Nails Clear Silicone Adhesive (LN207). This adhesive is flexible, quick drying and also water proof. It comes in a 2 ½ OZ squeeze tube and is available at most hardware stores.
5. On bags with formed plastic collars, leaks at the tops of the collars at the stock can often be fixed with electrical tape. Most electrical tape is waterproof and will work well if applied tightly to the junction between the stocks and collars. With hide collared bags retying in the stocks will most often fix a leak if it is not cause by a hole or tear in the hide.
6. With Synthetic bags the Liquid nails works again for most leaks. If the synthetic bag is zippered, do not use the adhesive on the zipper itself. Normally, just applying a little silicone grease (or the supplied TieZip lubricant that came with the bag) to the zipper will seal a leak in this area. (Silicone grease is readily available at pool supply stores) Once any bag seasonong or repairs have been completed and allowed to dry, especially if adhesive was used, cork the bag again and inflate to be sure you have corrected all the leaks. If your bags pass the test this time it’s pull the corks, back on with the bag cover, install the drones and chanter and time for a quick tune or two.
