Bellows

Object Name:

Bellows

Creator:

Unidentified

Date:

1800-1920

Dimensions:

W-76 L-95 inches

Description:

One of the most important tools in a blacksmith's workshop is the bellows. Without it, the ability to manipulate and craft iron objects is nearly impossible. The bellows are used to pump air onto the fire, to make it burn hotter. Operating the bellows was often the task of a younger man who was learning to be a blacksmith.

The blacksmith heated metal (iron) in a forge which contained coal. He pumped the bellows and forced air through the coals in the forge. The more he pumped the bellows, the hotter the fire became. Once the metal was red-hot he would use tongs to hold the metal on his anvil. Then he would hammer the hot metal into different shapes with his sledge. The metal was then cooled in a tub of water.

The "leaves" of the bellows are constructed of wood planks and measure about three feet long and one and a half feet across. The leaves are shaped like a water drop with the narrow end pointed toward the forge. The bellows is suspended from a building beam with iron hangers. On the narrow end is a conical shaped metal form which constricts the air flow as it passes through and thereby raises the speed of that air flow. The bottom leaf would be attached to the top by means of a sort of hinge behind this narrow end piece.. The edges of the two leaves are held together accordion-fashion with large pieces of leather nailed around the edges with closely spaced big-headed nails.

The bellows can be operated by a blacksmith working alone with a lever mounted on a bean to the left of the forge and connected to the bellows by a rope threaded through several pulleys and connected to the rear of the bottom leaf so it could be pulled upward and compress the "lung" and expel the air inside. The weight of the bottom leaf would, when the lever was released, the bellows would open and refill itself with air through flapped holes located in both the bottom and top leaves. The bottom leaf, falling downward creates a vaccum and the flexible leather flap would fall down or inward and allow the lung to fill up with fresh air. As the bottom leaf would again be pulled upward the force of the pressure would again press the leather patch upward to seal the intake hole.

Subjects:

Blacksmithing, Blacksmiths, Bellows

Collection Name:

Tool

Item Number:

1950.446.01

Accession Number:

1950.446.01

Type of Material:

Objects

Copyright Statement:

For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the New London Historical Society

Participating Organization:

New London Historical Society