New pipes, drone cap issues

Bag(pipe)Lady · 04-30-2012, 07:05 AM

Hi all,
I got my pipes about 45 days ago. The bass drone came with a wood chunk drone cord seats and the drone cap was loose. The middle tenor drone drone cap was almost falling off (and they are supposed to be threaded and glued). The outer tenor seemed solid.

I sent the 2 drone tops back to the manufacturer. They have not made it back yet. Now, this weekend, I go and find the other tenor's drone cap is loose. The drone has been sitting on a nice comfy bed doing nothing.

I am not going to mention who the manufacturer is, since I seem to be the statistical unlucky outlier.

That said, I am thinking of sending the whole kit and kaboodle back and trying again with someone else's pipes.

I'd like opinions on what you'd do if you were in my shoes.

Thanks bunches,
Kristina

Patrick McLaurin · 04-30-2012, 07:40 AM

Assuming the wood was properly dry prior to turning, this can still happen if the instrument was made somewhere humid and goes somewhere dry. But, I've been to Dallas plenty of times and you guys have no lack of humidity. More than Scotland I'd wager. So that doesn't make any sense. It happens sometimes when pipes come to Lubbock. I'll never voluntarily buy pipes with metal on them while I live in Lubbock, haha, just for fear of what you've experienced because of the dry weather.

So, what to do. Someone will probably get on here and tell you this is a non-issue and tell you to glue it yourself. If you're up for it, why not? We've used GOOP in the past for metal ferrules. The glues that dry hard don't seem to last too long out here.

But, I'd start worrying about the long term stability of the wood in the set you bought. 45 days in and 3 things have already fallen off, and apparently there was a flaw in the bass drone cord channel? It also varies with time, of course that some fell off in transit doesn't bode well. I don't know what you mean by "wood chunk drone cord seats" but if you received a bagpipe with problems either direct from the manufacturer or even from a retailer (ringcaps maybe came loose in the mail but flaws that aren't really time dependent is what I'm talking about here), I would return the pipes and never use either manufacturer or retailer again. This is a mail order business, you buy sight unseen. If they can't get you a reasonably built product, then look elsewhere.

Piperalpha · 04-30-2012, 07:52 AM

I can't say I blame you. It's frustrating when things go wrong with your pipes that are beyond your control. I'd probably want to send them back as well. Some pipe makers season their blackwood far too quick. They use a kiln to remove excess moisture that sometimes doesn't finish the job. There should be flaws in the pipe when it goes out. You should probably get your money back if the maker isn't willing to correct the issues in good time.

Altenberg Bagpiper · 04-30-2012, 09:15 AM

If said company is churning out thousands of bagpipes every year on their CNC machinery it doesn't matter that they are threaded and glued. The problem is that the wood was never seasoned properly. Therefore it will continue to season after the bagpipe has been put together and the mounts will fall off.

Jim

Johnniez · 04-30-2012, 09:20 AM

Don't know why your shy of saying who the manufacturer is.. Be nice for all to know so as to be aware.. There is a manufacturer that has been doing this and has a rather big name that others have complained about.. Big thing with them apparently is not drying the wood long enough.. And surprisingly folks just keep on buying them.

If was me..I would 'try' to return them

Johnnie

vantec08 · 04-30-2012, 09:34 AM

For me, they would have gone back. Yesterday.

Shawn Husk · 04-30-2012, 09:39 AM

I would be very upset if this were me...and I have been in fact in the past. Return the pipe. Buy from a different pipemaker who seasons their wood properly.

Shawn

Johnpaul · 04-30-2012, 09:55 AM

Iv had several sets in past,I'm pretty sure they were glued on,not sure about this set of macmurchies, 1 set with hand carved drones came with 2 broken mounts I was gutted but couldn't bare to send them back so super glued them myself & urd never know! I think the glue shrinks wen it drys iv had that prob myself,I'm sure the woods fine,but it's a dilemma for sure,iv a friend who makes small pipes & use poxy resin, problem is they have be turned off by machine to change, so I'd glue them back on myself long as drones are straight

FFDaveNY · 04-30-2012, 10:00 AM

I've had similar issues with my pipes, but that was after I had them for a bit. I asked an instructor about it & he mentioned a "manufacturer" possibly not securing the cap & rings so that over time as the wood becomes more seasoned, they can be more easily refastened.
I just chalk it up to maintenace due to the moisture changes here in northern NY.
Had come from loose directly from the mfr. I would have a much different tone.
Just be careful of the type of glue you use should you decide to refasten them yourself- some of the strong instant glues will foam as they dry.

Andy_S · 04-30-2012, 10:52 AM

My vote is that you do whatever you can to get your money back.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying poly pipes. I have Dunbars and i love them. The Polypenco they're made of was seasoned and dried using the most up to date methods avilable. The polypenco tree tends not to have shrinking/splitting issues which allows the beginner to concentrate on playing and not worry about their pipes falling apart.

For what it's worth, the bagpipe maker everyone is implying made them is fantastic about replacing parts, even for out of warranty items.

04-30-2012, 07:05 AM	#1
Bag(pipe)Lady Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 35	New pipes, drone cap issues Hi all, I got my pipes about 45 days ago. The bass drone came with a wood chunk drone cord seats and the drone cap was loose. The middle tenor drone drone cap was almost falling off (and they are supposed to be threaded and glued). The outer tenor seemed solid. I sent the 2 drone tops back to the manufacturer. They have not made it back yet. Now, this weekend, I go and find the other tenor's drone cap is loose. The drone has been sitting on a nice comfy bed doing nothing. I am not going to mention who the manufacturer is, since I seem to be the statistical unlucky outlier. That said, I am thinking of sending the whole kit and kaboodle back and trying again with someone else's pipes. I'd like opinions on what you'd do if you were in my shoes. Thanks bunches, Kristina

04-30-2012, 07:40 AM	#2
Patrick McLaurin Holy smoking keyboard! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 3,498	Re: New pipes, drone cap issues Assuming the wood was properly dry prior to turning, this can still happen if the instrument was made somewhere humid and goes somewhere dry. But, I've been to Dallas plenty of times and you guys have no lack of humidity. More than Scotland I'd wager. So that doesn't make any sense. It happens sometimes when pipes come to Lubbock. I'll never voluntarily buy pipes with metal on them while I live in Lubbock, haha, just for fear of what you've experienced because of the dry weather. So, what to do. Someone will probably get on here and tell you this is a non-issue and tell you to glue it yourself. If you're up for it, why not? We've used GOOP in the past for metal ferrules. The glues that dry hard don't seem to last too long out here. But, I'd start worrying about the long term stability of the wood in the set you bought. 45 days in and 3 things have already fallen off, and apparently there was a flaw in the bass drone cord channel? It also varies with time, of course that some fell off in transit doesn't bode well. I don't know what you mean by "wood chunk drone cord seats" but if you received a bagpipe with problems either direct from the manufacturer or even from a retailer (ringcaps maybe came loose in the mail but flaws that aren't really time dependent is what I'm talking about here), I would return the pipes and never use either manufacturer or retailer again. This is a mail order business, you buy sight unseen. If they can't get you a reasonably built product, then look elsewhere. __________________ Piping Blog - Homepage - Pekaar's Tune Encyclopedia - Convert BMW to ABC

04-30-2012, 07:52 AM	#3
Piperalpha Holy smoking keyboard! Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 1,047	Re: New pipes, drone cap issues I can't say I blame you. It's frustrating when things go wrong with your pipes that are beyond your control. I'd probably want to send them back as well. Some pipe makers season their blackwood far too quick. They use a kiln to remove excess moisture that sometimes doesn't finish the job. There should be flaws in the pipe when it goes out. You should probably get your money back if the maker isn't willing to correct the issues in good time. Last edited by Piperalpha; 04-30-2012 at 07:56 AM.

04-30-2012, 09:15 AM	#4
Altenberg Bagpiper Forum Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altenberg, Germany Posts: 229	Re: New pipes, drone cap issues If said company is churning out thousands of bagpipes every year on their CNC machinery it doesn't matter that they are threaded and glued. The problem is that the wood was never seasoned properly. Therefore it will continue to season after the bagpipe has been put together and the mounts will fall off. Jim

04-30-2012, 09:20 AM	#5
Johnniez Forum Gold Medal Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Beamsville, Ontario, Canada Posts: 544	Re: New pipes, drone cap issues Don't know why your shy of saying who the manufacturer is.. Be nice for all to know so as to be aware.. There is a manufacturer that has been doing this and has a rather big name that others have complained about.. Big thing with them apparently is not drying the wood long enough.. And surprisingly folks just keep on buying them. If was me..I would 'try' to return them Johnnie Last edited by Johnniez; 04-30-2012 at 09:23 AM.

04-30-2012, 09:34 AM	#6
vantec08 Forum Silver Medal Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA Posts: 359	Re: New pipes, drone cap issues For me, they would have gone back. Yesterday.

04-30-2012, 09:39 AM	#7
Shawn Husk Holy smoking keyboard! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Champion, Ohio Posts: 4,899	Re: New pipes, drone cap issues I would be very upset if this were me...and I have been in fact in the past. Return the pipe. Buy from a different pipemaker who seasons their wood properly. Shawn __________________ Get in the circle! www.huskreeds.com

04-30-2012, 09:55 AM	#8
Johnpaul Forum Member - Shy or Quiet Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Brightlingsea Posts: 15	Iv had several sets in past,I'm pretty sure they were glued on,not sure about this set of macmurchies, 1 set with hand carved drones came with 2 broken mounts I was gutted but couldn't bare to send them back so super glued them myself & urd never know! I think the glue shrinks wen it drys iv had that prob myself,I'm sure the woods fine,but it's a dilemma for sure,iv a friend who makes small pipes & use poxy resin, problem is they have be turned off by machine to change, so I'd glue them back on myself long as drones are straight

04-30-2012, 10:00 AM	#9
FFDaveNY Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New York - Way Upstate Posts: 73	Re: New pipes, drone cap issues I've had similar issues with my pipes, but that was after I had them for a bit. I asked an instructor about it & he mentioned a "manufacturer" possibly not securing the cap & rings so that over time as the wood becomes more seasoned, they can be more easily refastened. I just chalk it up to maintenace due to the moisture changes here in northern NY. Had come from loose directly from the mfr. I would have a much different tone. Just be careful of the type of glue you use should you decide to refasten them yourself- some of the strong instant glues will foam as they dry. __________________ The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it. Thucydides

04-30-2012, 10:52 AM	#10
Andy_S Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 129	Re: New pipes, drone cap issues My vote is that you do whatever you can to get your money back. There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying poly pipes. I have Dunbars and i love them. The Polypenco they're made of was seasoned and dried using the most up to date methods avilable. The polypenco tree tends not to have shrinking/splitting issues which allows the beginner to concentrate on playing and not worry about their pipes falling apart. For what it's worth, the bagpipe maker everyone is implying made them is fantastic about replacing parts, even for out of warranty items.