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MMD > Archives > August 2000 > 2000.08.02 > 07Prev  Next


Organ Pipe Materials
By Al Sefl

Ken Herring wrote:

> Will you please advise what materials you use in the construction
> of pipes for the pipe organ ?

The following materials have been used for organ pipes:

Metals: lead, tin, copper, and brass are the most common metals used.
The lead and tin are usually alloyed to produce what is termed "common
metal" (where it has spots on cooling).  Rarely antimony is added for
a hardening effect.

Tuning slides are normally made of coke tin sheet, but aluminum has
been used also.  Some aluminum pipes have been made but these seem
to be mostly experimental and have not been adopted by mainstream
builders.

Woods: sugar pine (Pinus labertiana), western white pine (Pinus
monticola), spruce (Pinus glabra), and redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)
are the most common woods used.  Hot horse hide glue is used to hold
them together!

Hope that helps,

Al Sefl -- now back to lurking mode...

P.S.: Cardboard and several forms of cardboard have also been used
by amateurs and a few builders playing with a different material.


(Message sent Wed 2 Aug 2000, 08:11:08 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Materials, Organ, Pipe

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