Rockaway The Brave

Good thing there are a lot of cops in this city:

Nate Banton — New York City’s only bagpipe maker — opened his business in a Neponsit bungalow four months ago. The 30-year-old craftsman specializes in two types of bagpipes: border pipes and small pipes.

“I’m interested in making hand-crafted pipes with an attention to detail,” said Banton, who grew up in Maine. “It’s a good business to be in. I make a product that people can make art with.”

Banton, who apprenticed for three years under noted pipe maker Seth Gallagher in upstate Cold Spring, N.Y., said he had a hard time breaking into the industry.

. . .

Banton uses dozens of handmade tools and relies on his 1940s South Bend lathe, a hardsaw and a drill press for the bulkwork.

A set will take roughly three weeks to complete. Banton now has a three-month waiting list for his pipes.

“I think he’s well on his way to be successful,” said Brian Bigley, 23, who shares the workspace with Banton and is working on his own design for a uilleann pipe — a traditional Irish bagpipe. “The Celtic music industry is doing really well.”