How to Make a Fire Bellows

Fire bellows are basically a substitute for a fan to push air, at a low constant pressure, into a burning fire to increase the temperature of the fire. When the bellows push air into the fire, it increases the available oxygen, increasing the rate of combustion of the fuel, increasing the fire's temperature. The fire bellows normally used for a household fireplace are small and hand-held.

Things You'll Need

• 2 pieces of hardwood (oak, maple or such), 12 inches by 18 inches and at least 3/4 inch thick
• Saw (preferably a jigsaw)
• Clamps
• Paint or stain
• Lacquer or polyurethane
• Paintbrush
• 1 square yard of leather
• Leather glue
• Drill with 1/2 and 1/4 bits.
• 3-inch long copper tube (3/8-inch outer diameter with a slight flare at both ends to 1/2-inch outer diameter)

Instructions

1. Cut the wood into two identical spade-shaped pieces. Round off the top point (as is seen on a deck of cards). Make the base straight instead of being slightly flared out. This will be the handle.

2. Paint or stain the wood as you wish. Lacquer or polyurethane both sides. This will help create an airtight seal. Allow the pieces to fully dry.

3. Cut the leather into a curved strip. It should be long enough to fully wrap around the outside of the curved portion of the wood pieces plus 2 inches. Each end of the strip should be 1 1/4 inches wide, while the center should be about 12 inches wide. There will need to be a curve to the leather corresponding to curve in the wood pieces. This curve is hard to predict, therefore, using a template made of scrap cloth or newspaper is recommended.

4. Fold the leather in half and bend it in the shape of the wood pieces. Place glue on the outer half-inch of the flat side of one piece of wood. The glue should not go across the handle portion (bottom of the spade).

5. Fit the leather strip's edge onto the glue outline on the wood. The ends of the strip should cross at the top, away from the handle.

6. Drill a 1/2-inch hole in the center of the piece of wood with the leather skirt already attached. Cut a 1.5-inch-by-2-inch flap of leather. On the same side as the other leather piece glue, one side of the flap of leather just above the hole. When the bellows are opened, this will flap open, allowing air to enter.

7. Glue the other piece of wood to the free edge of the leather skirt in the same manner as Step 5.

8. Clamp the two pieces of wood together. Pull the leather strips away at the top. The wood should just about touch. Using the 1/4-inch bit, you will drill 2 inches down into the center of the division in the wood.

9. Drill a 1/2-inch hole 1 inch into the 1/4-inch hole at the top.

10. Place glue around 1 1/2 inches of one end of the copper tube. Fit this end into the 1/2-inch hole at the top of the bellows.

11. Wrap the ends of the leather skirt around the copper tube. Cut any excess leather way. Take a 3-inch-by-12-inch strip of leather and place glue on one side. Wrap the strip around the top of the bellows, with 1 1/2 inches covering the leather covered copper tube and 1 1/2 inches covering the wood with the glue side down.

Tips & Warnings

• Cutting the leather correctly can be tricky. Use an old piece of cloth or paper to make a working template, then cut the leather from the template. Just use tape instead of the glue to hold the cloth/paper in place temporarily. A bronze or iron tube can be used in place of the copper tube.

References

• Fire Bellows
• Fireplace Bellows
• Fireplace Bellows components and accessories