I Need an 'In' Valve for Bellows?

[Lord Snooty]

I'm salvaging a pair of bellows from an old beekeeper's smoker, to use in a project requiring a blast of air. The bellows are in good working order but has only one hole for air in and out.

My plan is to attached one end of a flexible 8mm PVC tube to the bellows and the other end to the box into which I want to blast air. I will either shove the tube into the hole and rely on it just sticking there, or find some sort of plumbing fitting for it (any recommendations welcomed). Same with the other end into the box.

The problem is that there won't be a hole for the ingress of air into the bellows, can anyone recommend a valve that I can use? The bellows is made from two 10mm wooden boards and the existing hole is ⅜" diameter.

Thanks,

 

[JohnD]

the valve in bellows is just a flap of leather on the inside, commonly rectangular, fastened at one end.

When they are held horizontally, (inlet hole down) the flap flops over the hole by gravity, and, on compression, seals the hole. On induction, it opens due to the slight air pressure difference.

 

[bernardgreen]

I would leave the bellows as they are and use a T piece and two air valves

 

[footprints]

As said usually just a flap but if you want a valve check out brake servo valves.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bra...jAhUlSxUIHXERD04Q9QEwBHoECAQQDA#imgrc=_&vet=1