Command Your Bagpipe # 5: Oil Your Pipes! - Bagpipe Lessons

[@andywebb6640]

Thanks for this video Matt, just worked up the courage to strip my pipes and oil and wax them. Used a pull thru but the small gun cleaning rods is a better idea, more control. Great tip with using a different colour on the middle drone too!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you found the video useful!

[@ronhusted138]

This is a very well made and informative video, exactly how I oil my pipes. I use the end of a 22 cal. cleaning rod with .45 cal. patches. I've been using renaissance wax for the outside of my pipes for a long time, works exceedingly well. I also use the wax on my silver mounts after polishing them up, they seem to hold their luster much longer.

[@keithalexandrovich7473]

Matt, thanks for this. Upgrading from poly pipes, blackwood pipes due for delivery pretty soon. Trying to get all the info I can, and your video is the first one I came across that demonstrates oiling a full set as well as going a bit into the science of whats happening to the wood. Thanks again.

[@scottishpiper2522]

Another great video Matt. Thanks for continuing to put out videos that have made me a better piper.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you like them!

[@bettinagudat875]

very interesting and helpful, but we don't get guncleaning kits at Walmart's in Germany...the special rods are supplied here by music equipment stores

[@wgority]

As a follow up, I will let a tiny amount of oil remain on the endgrains of the various pieces, but will make sure it gets a good wipe down prior to reassembly.

[@ashleymcquade5848]

Thank you for these videos! I just watched your cleaning video before this one and it helped me clean my new set of pipes - my first set!

[@traildogisla]

Excellent video, amusing to hear people talking about humidity, we run a dehumidifier in one of our rooms and it runs flat out trying to get DOWN to 60 percent!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Ha! Definitely not a problem for most folks I know!

[@workinhardorhardlyworkin-n9k]

I believe it was on the Naill oil that I bought many years ago for oiling the outside of the pipes. Mabe it was because of that certain type of oil that it would not let moisture get through. They have been in many storms with me in my sailboat went to logging camps with me for many years in planes and in all types of weather and bounced around with me for 13 years that I owned a rig hauling b trains. I have oiled the outside twice since 1992 .The saving grace is that I live on Vancouver Island and spend most of my time on the coast although they have been to the interior and Alberta with me on occasion .Naill apparently only uses the finest blackwood in the pipes . I purchased these from tartantown new in '92 . The only thing that has happened to them is the mount on the blowpie cracked from too much moisture .? I sleeved it with 3/8" -304 stainless tubing and epoxied the mount and no problems after . Your Struan Robertson video was great

[@Mrkilt8020]

This was massively helpful! Thank you, Matt!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ian7583]

Again many thanks Matt. 😘😘😘

[@loymedic]

It is VERY advisable to oil the outside of the pipes first and give them a chance to soak some in before you do the bores. The reason for this, is that if you oil the bores first, as they soak it up, they begin to expand internally, but the outside surface is drier and less flexible, and the expanding wood pressure inside the bores can cause the outside to crack to relieve the expansion stress. Oil outside first so that it has some “flexibility”, so to speak. THEN, oil the bores Afterward, wipe off outside excess that didn’t soak in, and then use Renaissance wax.

[@wgority]

Renaissance Wax has been my friend for over 30 years. Especially on the pipes I make - such as they are.

[@steveshaw3631]

William Gority , maybe you can answer my questions above about oiling new wood, thanks

[@dane5896]

I also use Bore Doctor, the pipes still look great after eleven years. I bought a big bottle, and it seems to be breaking down over time. The odor and color of the oil has changed. (10yrs)

[@kristen4166]

I have a blackwood practice chanter. Do you recommend oiling this?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

It certainly wouldn't hurt, but I will admit, I don't oil my wooden practice chanters...

[@akatiehelms]

Thank you for the video? I have a question… You mentioned having a plastic blowstick stock… is that due to moisture, or what is your reason? Just curious… Thank You…

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Just how my Robbies were made. It's a non-sounding part, so it's a bit silly to make out of blackwood to be honest.

[@steveshaw3631]

Just want to ask any pipe makers out there about how to oil a newly made set of small pipes completely dry wood, this video has been very good thanks

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad you found the video helpful! I do oil my smallpipes, but not often, as they are not mouth blown... I often use pipe cleaner for the drones, as the swabs are too big.

[@steveshaw3631]

Matt Willis Bagpiper thanks for that info, keep the videos coming, they all help a lot

[@kennethjohnston5595]

Thank you.,,l have learned more from you in an hour than l have done , spending hundreds of pounds.and hour after hour , trying to learn tunes ,far too hard for me ,,. Trying to get back piping ,after long time .inflating bad ,as required ,was difficult ,thank you for your help .

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I appreciate the comment! Glad you found the channel!

[@joustingj]

Matt, my McCallum bagpipe drone valves are stuck in the stocks. Any suggestion on how to remove them so I can oil the stocks? Thanks.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

One of many reasons I do not use, or encourage the use of the drone valves… There’s a reason I’ve never reviewed any! In any case, I’d at least leave the bag unzipped, and cease playing the pipes for a few days and see if allowing them to dry out a bit helps with the removal. If not, you might need to find something to insert into the stock that’s long enough to tap them out, though this may well destroy the valve. But at least it wouldn’t be stuck! Best of luck.

[@ianwerner9090]

Hey Matt, what's your opinion about oiling with Walnut Oil? I didn't get it at a health food store, per se, but I bought it at an art store, so it's considered an "Artist's Oil Medium" ('pure, alkali refined oil pressed from american walnuts. extends oil color for increased flow, non yellowing, slow drying') is what it says on the back. It doesn't have any Vit.E in it, so besides running across the street to a walgreens to pick up some to add to it, do you have any thoughts on, like i said, using walnut oil as opposed to almond, and if the type of refining of the oil has anything to do with affecting the final outcome.... thanks ian san francisco bagpipes

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Never thought to use walnut oil... I know walnut oil is one of the few nut oils high in omega 3, which has a tendency to oxidize, so I think if you did want to try it, I'd definitely add some vitamin E. Maybe someone here has more info than me... I'd go with the Hobé sweet almond oil as I know it won't hurt anything (or go rancid)

[@julianpayne5306]

As usual a most helpful video. I have an old Henderson ebony set. I use Dr Bore oil. I recently saw a bottle of pure blackwood oil for oiling bagpipes. What is you viewable using pure blackwood oil for oiling bagpipes?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

If it’s actually Blackwood oil, I’m all for it.

[@frotz661]

@@MattWillisBagpiper What is in "blackwood oil" anyway? According to Hardie's website, it contains nut oils, but doesn't say which ones.

[@zeesterrene]

Dear Matt, Many thanks for your uploads they are very much appriciated. Since Doctor's Prod. is not shipping their Bore oil to my place, I was wondering if you could supply it. I am willing to pay in advance using credit card, PayPal or money transfer by bank. Please let me know if it's possible to order 2 botlles of 60ml and what standard shipping to The Netherlands would cost.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Hello! That is beyond the scope of what I can provide. That said, I think the sweet almond oil works just fine and is readily available. Look for it in the skin care section of a health food store (or Amazon). I use the Hobé brand, but I'm sure there are others.

[@brandongreen1635]

Heyy Matt!!!! How are you!!! I'm so sorry this is late however I have a set of Dunbar Ellar polypenco pipes like a plastic set but you don't have to oil plastic pipes eh Matt?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Nope, no oiling plastic pipes.

[@BB-hi5of]

Just bought my first set, good video to learn all the maintenance. I got to rehemp the set i got, and start oiling as they haven't been played in a couple years. Is it bad to oil the outside? I see that you use woodbeams, however I am debating on what to order. Thanks

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I now use Renaissance Wax on the exteriors of my pipes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXXYhmZsmL10h9U

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

A little oil on the outside won’t hurt, but I wouldn’t make a habit out of it.

[@BB-hi5of]

@@MattWillisBagpiper appreciate it thanks, ill get some wax. Super excited to own my new heritage set! the journey continues

[@pkelly754]

Will adding the wax create build up on intricately carved drones (R.G. Hardies DropKick's)?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I'd be careful with waxing those Dropkick engraved pipes... Don't let the Renaissance Wax sit for more than a few seconds, or you'll likely have to spend hours with toothpicks scraping it all out...

[@chrismills2012]

hi Mat, may I ask, how exactly do you go about oiling smallpipes and border pipes? can you get brushes specifically for border and smallpipes? or do you just use a cleaning brush for a recorder? and what about Northumbrian pipes witch have a really small boor?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

To be honest, I haven't oiled my bellows-driven pipes... Since I'm not blowing wet, spitty air into them, I'm not as concerned. Not saying that's the right answer, but what I do...

[@professionalpiper]

Matt how would recommend going about oiling an antique set of pipes (100 + years) that haven’t been played in decades?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Ooo. That's tough. I'd would perhaps contact Dunbar or MacLellan pipes (or perhaps Marr Bagpipes if in the UK) and see if they'd do a minor resto on them. I'd hate to give advice that could damage anything.

[@professionalpiper]

@@MattWillisBagpiper thank you! Happy Thanksgiving!

[@druid189189]

I have a set of pre-1900 Lawrie. How would I know if they are varnished or not?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

The exterior would be very glossy/shiny. If they haven't been reworked, they almost certainly have varnish.

[@kevingoligher3393]

If your pipes, oil them from the outside first . this si so they will not crack. If you oil the inside of the bore first it will swell, and expand faster than the exterior and cause cracks. Especially with older pipes.. , Richard King has a vid that explains why. As for almond oil, it can go rancid over rtime.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Dave Atherton’s write up on care for his Blackwood pipes disagrees. I don’t have enough scientific knowledge on the matter to have my own opinion. Do what works for you.

[@martin242]

Hi Willis! Thanks for your video! Would you please give me a link to the gun cleaning kit you use or something similar on Amazon? I see a lot of different things there and I'm not sure what to get. Thanks again!

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

This is the kit I bought, but threw most of the parts away. I just needed the rods and the swabs. Definitely never put those metal wire brushes near your pipes! I found the softer cloth brush end to be too firm to be of any use and discarded as well. You may be able to find just a small caliber gun cleaning rod without paying for all the other stuff here... www.walmart.com/ip/Gunmaster-42-Piece-Deluxe-Universal-Cleaning-Kit-in-Wooden-Case/51932680

[@janicehisey7260]

FYI, I used too much bore oil one time and play at an opening ceremony. I had a very hard time tuning the drones and they would not stay in tune. I didn't know what was going on. Well, after talking with a more experienced piper, he asked if there was oil on the drone reeds. Sure nuff there was. I tried cleaning the reeds but they never were stable after that. Bought new reeds and problem solved.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

What a hard way to learn that lesson! :(

[@aikidragonpiper71]

What product do you use to disinfect your pipes. They say dangerous fungus can form in your pipes, I’ve heard stories of piper’s getting sick and even dying of a deadly fungus. Or does oiling them kill the fungus. I do oil my pipes at least 2 or 3 times a year. I’ve heard Pipers in Arizona oil them a lot more often. But I’m in western Arkansas and we are hot and humid every summer only dry at the end of summer.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

You can learn more about cleaning your pipes here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/roS9dZmhfLeIjcU and here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmW4gGWXjsl7Ztk Hope this helps!

[@michaelrs8010]

Bore Doctor 👍 Very popular amongst fife players.

[@BB-hi5of]

Hi Matt, going to be oiling my pipes this week to get them ready to be played again ( first time they will have been played in about 3 years). Should i follow the same procedure as you do in this video or oil a little more? I bought Kinnairds bore oil and they recommend using it on the outside as well. I am new to the pipe world, does natural sunlight hurt the woods at all? like should have a coat of oil on the outside before i take them outside to play say on a nice sunny day? I read somewhere that sunlight and stuff is not good for pipes so wouldn't want to do any damage. Thanks

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

If anything, I'd use less oil if it's been awhile (or ever) since oiling. And I do see Kinnaird's site says to oil the outside. Dave Atherton and several high and woodwind (specifically clarinet and oboe) repair/restoration folks have said to not oil the outside but instead to protect it. You're welcome to oil the outside, but I simply now use Renaissance Wax on the exteriors (I no longer use Wood Beams though still a fine product). As for sunlight, while I would never store my pipes in direct sunlight, I play in the sun all the time without any problems.

[@jameswhyman4127]

Matt, what's the difference between the outer and middle drones?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

On most sets, just location (they’re identical). The modern MacRaes by McCallum have slight different bores by design, but still sound very similar tonally.

[@jameswhyman4127]

@@MattWillisBagpiper cheers Matt. I've been practicing my chanter for a month now and away to get a new bag for my pipes as they haven't been played in 10 years and the grommets on the old canmore perished. The stocks and drones are all in the case randomised so I'm worried I'm not going to put them back together right, the two tenors look the same?

[@danielmywsu]

Instead of a gun cleaning kit I like to use a flute cleaning rod. They're just a couple of dollars at any music store. It's exactly the same thing, just a rod with a slit in one end to put a cloth through.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

The flute cleaning rods I've seen are too big for the bottom joints on my pipes... Maybe there are narrower rods available.

[@danielmywsu]

@@MattWillisBagpiper You need a metal cleaning rod. I also used an oboe swab to get through the narrowest sections of the drones.

[@therealjetlag]

This was useful, thanks, because gun cleaning rods aren’t always available in other countries lol

[@briantunney875]

How often do you oil your pipes? I’ve heard people say once a month to once a year and even every 3 years.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Very much depends on climate. I oil mine 3-4 times a yer, but likely twice a year would be fine. If it was a drier climate, I might be oiling them monthly...

[@jjkanuck453]

East to add moisture. Use a wet towel in the case. Pipes, guitars whatever instrument that is wood.. I have hydrated guitars and my pipes for years this way.. Then a film of oil .. I am 75 years old never had a crack playing guitars and hydrating them since I was 14.. Just tip..

[@captaintimcurry1713]

Well dang... I oil my pipes but I definitely have a habit of using too much when I do. I'll be a lot more conservative on the oil from now on and I'll start using wax on the outsides. I also oiled my chanter 😫 so hopefully I didn't screw it up

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Too much oil isn’t really an issue as long as all the excess is removed before resembling the pipes. Don’t want the oil pooling in the drone reeds! Or ruining the hemp. And I am not convinced oiling the chanter is harmful, but I don’t “risk” it. In any case, I think you’ll be fine. 👍

[@captaintimcurry1713]

@@MattWillisBagpiper Thanks for the advice! These were a brand new set of Naills that looked a little rough and dry, so I oiled everything inside and out to let the wood soak it all up. It definitely darkened the color of the blackwood, which I liked, but I made sure there were no pools of anything sitting in the bores before I played them again. I need to re-hemp the drones anyway, I just want to make sure I'm not ruining a $4.5k set of pipes! I want those things to last longer than me!

[@matthewdenty7760]

The varnish is chipping off mine, debating a re coat of true oil on the outside Linseed oil from flaxseeds is what I use on gun stocks and knife handles,it hardens like a varnish but takes a while the guy who I got the pipes from said they never seen oil in over 20 years and the only crack was on the blow stick..I'm playing 10 minuits a day for re moisture purpose for 2 weeks then increase playing time ( dont know how long they sat for) could a damp cloth in the pipe case humidify wood or more likely to mold ? Theres also packets that have diferent % of moisture that are sold at weed stores in canada , 45-65% Im stuck between reviving old wood or its seen hell and back dont worry bout it ... decisions, decisions 🤔

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

I'd go with a dedicated case humidifier like: www.amazon.com/dp/B00VMB7E0U/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_7JhiEb8F3P4KZ or similar. I think a damp towel would lead to mold and just be a mess. As for the exterior, chipping varnish is tricky. I'd probably go the Renaissance Wax route for the exterior myself.

[@malcolmdomhnallach3638]

Many pipe makers’ oil is based on sweet almond oil , but they could be wrong there.. Smallpipe makers use baby oil , very experienced pipers recommend it aswell , I guess we should trust them..

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

If the baby oil doesn't have mineral oil, I suppose it could be okay. I'll stick with my Bore Doctor, though sweet almond oil is nearly as good.

[@srooklidge]

Good show!

[@KimballRussell]

Do you worry at all that a metal cleaning rod would scratch the wood?

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

The end of the rod is (soft) plastic, and the knurled bit I've covered in tape. Great question, and one I had thought I covered, but sometime things make it past me.

[@Reedc16]

What do you use for that yellow thing that you use your finger for to make it smooth because I don’t have it and where you buy it from

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

The product I apply on the exterior? The link is in the description. But here it is again: www.goodiesunlimited.com/woodbeam.html

[@Reedc16]

Matt Willis Bagpiper oh okay thank you

[@Reedc16]

Matt Willis Bagpiper I didn’t meant to say the gun cleaning kit I meant to say wood beams that you use for to clean the outside of your drones

[@DavidRCelebrezze]

Fyi Goodies Unlimited doesn't ship or respond after you buy a product from them. I'm about to contact my bank to cancel the transaction. Two weeks and nothing shipped. UPDATE: they finally sent it.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Glad they finally got it to you. Wish they were a bit more responsive

[@janicehisey7260]

Don't do what I did one time. I was in a hurry and couldn't find my oiling rod so I just squirted some oil down the drones and twisted them around as to spread the oil. Well, a day or so later I was getting ready for a memorial service and my drones would not stay steady or in tune. Long story short, oil had gotten onto the drone reeds. After swabbing out the drones and new drone reeds, problem solved.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

That's happened to more than a few folks, I'm certain. It really doesn't take much oil at all!

[@nabinraii]

I oil with olive oil 😢

[@workinhardorhardlyworkin-n9k]

Naill bagpipes says do not oil the bores

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

Interesting. If they don't want you to oil 'em, then I guess don't. Where have they stated this?