Fireplace bellows with inlay.

[Jim Finn]

Over the past 30+ years I have made over fifty fireplace bellows. This is how I got started in woodworking. At first I carved images into the bellows front and then moved to using tooled leather images and finally a few years ago I started doing inlay on them. I do not make many any more because there is not much of a market for them, These are decorative and functional fireplace bellows made of cedar, in this case, with maple inlay..It measures 15" end to end. The brass nozzle is made using a 30-30 shell.
I turn the whole bellows in a lathe to form the handle and the nozzle ends. I purchase the leather used in this at Tandy.
This bellows was made to order.Bellows T A&M.jpg

[Yonak Hawkins]

That's a very attractive piece, Jim. You've got sort of a niche design area .. custom bellows. One really should be considered for any fireplace design as, often, it's the focus of a room. I have mixed feelings about the inlay : ATM .. I find myself going to one all too often toward the end of a project.

[Jim Becker]

Beautiful work on a unique type of project!

[Jim Finn]

Texas A and M