Casting a Bicycle Bell

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Powder Keg:
I hadn't thought of removing the sprue (yet:o) It would have come to me at some point though :med:

I have some Poplar that I'm going to use. I'm thinking of gluing up 2 or 3 layers. I think this way the grains will be going different directions and will help minimize pattern warpage. I really like poplar because the hard and soft grains are about the same.

I'm thinking that I'll make the wall thickness about 3/16" I don't really have anything to go on as far as how thickness will affect the tone of the bell. So It might be a little hit and miss?

Thanks,

AdeV:
I suspect the thicker the bell, the shorter (& quieter?) the ring. Unless you plan to carry a small hammer with you to hit it with of course! I've seen them tune church bells by shaving off metal around the lip, I imagine your tuning method would be similar.

rleete:
For something that small, thinner is better. Thicker will be sort of flat, unless you really whack it.

Rob.Wilson:
I think they cast bells on the thick side ,,, then machine the inside to get the correct note .

Rob

Powder Keg:
Well I managed to get a little done today. I cut out some wood circles and glued them togather.

After a while the glue dried and I was able to start turning. I roughed out one side and turned a little stub to hold onto.

I then drilled the pattern a little short of the depth I am aiming for.

I then hogged a little of the wood out of the center.

I stopped here. I need to make a couple templates to machine the wood to. I'm thinking about making it slightly thick. That will pore better. I will then machine some of the thickness out of the inside to tune it. That's my plan anyway. Thanks for the input.

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