MadModder
The Shop => Metal Stuff => Topic started by: Powder Keg on November 27, 2010, 08:26:31 PM
-
I'm thinking of making a bronze bell for my Penny Farthing that will kind of fit the antique theme that I have going. This little project will let me do a couple things that I have wanted to do. Mainly cast a bell. For some reason I have always wanted to do that? This way I will have a use for it. I will get some more experience in pattern making. And hopefully have a useful device when done.
Doing some research on such things, I found a couple that I like. Here are some pictures I found on a German site.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Penny%20Farthing/Ideas/waffenrad_3129069_gabel.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Penny%20Farthing/Ideas/herrenfahrrad_waffenrad_vorderansicht_gr-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Penny%20Farthing/Ideas/herrenfahrrad_waffenrad_rundlaufglocke_gr.jpg)
I plan on making it an ornate bell. Like this pattern with out the letters.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Penny%20Farthing/Ideas/bikebell1.jpg)
I think I'll start gluing up some wood for a pattern tomorrow.
So, I'm thinking about casting the bell with the ornate side down and poring through a sprew in the center. Kind of like an upside down umbrella. That should work, Right?
Later, Wes
-
After doing a little research, I noticed that most bells are cast right side up. I'm thinking so that the liquid metal doesn't "wash" away the sand? Thoughts?
-
Want to see this done. I don't cast, so I can't help... Maybe Rob can?
Eric
-
Thats an interesting bell set up Wes I take it the tyre bobbles activate the bell when the little wheel is moved into contact.
Thats a nice lap as well will that be next :proj:
Stew
-
Hi Wes
Never cast a bell myself ,,,, so i am interested to see how this works out :thumbup:
I would go for this way
(http://www.nam-engineering.com/cm/albums/userpics/10002/normal_P1020815.jpg)
This way has problems
(http://www.nam-engineering.com/cm/albums/userpics/10002/normal_P1020814.jpg)
Rob
-
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,
-
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.
-
For something that small, thinner is better. Thicker will be sort of flat, unless you really whack it.
-
I think they cast bells on the thick side ,,, then machine the inside to get the correct note .
Rob
-
Well I managed to get a little done today. I cut out some wood circles and glued them togather.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Penny%20Farthing/Bicycle%20bell/Pennyfarthing025-1.jpg)
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.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Penny%20Farthing/Bicycle%20bell/Pennyfarthing026-1.jpg)
I then drilled the pattern a little short of the depth I am aiming for.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Penny%20Farthing/Bicycle%20bell/Pennyfarthing027-1.jpg)
I then hogged a little of the wood out of the center.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Penny%20Farthing/Bicycle%20bell/Pennyfarthing028-1.jpg)
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.(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Smilies/headgear30-Copy.gif)
-
This looks familiar. I did some wood turning on my metal lathe, it works well, but what a mess! It convinced me to buy a wood lathe for the wood stuff (actually that was my excuse for more tools). I'll be watching how this turns out since I too have always wanted have a go at casting a bell!
-
Love how the original is tyre powered....... :clap:
What a crackin' project! :bow:
Good luck Wes! :thumbup:
David D
-
Got some shop time today. I need my lathe back, so I finished the bell pattern. I drew up a template. It worked better than I thought. Here I roughed out the inside and a little/lot sanding later. It fit pretty nice.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Penny%20Farthing/Bicycle%20bell/Pennyfarthing029.jpg)
Same with the outside. I made a little arbor that the pattern is bolted to with a central bolt. I got the thickness down to a little over 1/8" it seams kind of thick? But I was getting some chatter. We'll see if it rings after I cast a couple.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Penny%20Farthing/Bicycle%20bell/Pennyfarthing030.jpg)
Also It will have a thinner wall thickness once I get the outside carved.
-
That is a nice piece of wood turning :bow: :bow: of course you realise the lathe is now contaminated for life :( :( :(
-
This lathe is so old and wore out that a little sawdust is the least of it's worries(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Smilies/smiley-laughing025.gif) I think I about have the pattern I'm going to carve on the bell about figured out in my head? We'll see.
-
A little more research and I notice that Bell Bronze seems to have more tin in it than others. 20 percent compared to about 10 percent found in most other bronze. I found some pure tin on Ebay and am thinking of getting it to make my own scrap bronze higher tin content alloy(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Smilies/headgear30-Copy.gif) Might be fun?
-
Hey Rob, Are you using enough cow Dung in your foundry operation???(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Smilies/smiley-laughing025.gif)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Smilies/smiley-laughing025.gif)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Smilies/smiley-laughing025.gif)
&NR=1
This is pretty interesting though. I've had lots of trouble with Bronze and these guys are using cow dung and bees wax and charcoal. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/Powderkeg3418/Smilies/smiley-taunt014.gif) Makes me wonder what I'm doing wrong :lol: :lol: :lol:
-
There is a ton of pretty neat stuff pertaining to bells here. Lots of information.
http://www.russianbells.com/interest/biggest.html
Largest ringing bell!!!
-
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: I , Wes ,,,,,,,,,,, i can just see the look on the wife's face ,, when i come home with a sack of cow poo :doh: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Great videos :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :thumbup: interesting stuff :med:
Rob
-
I hear meadow muffins are where the casting trade is headed, Wes. You gotta follow the experts! ; )
-
Interesting videos :thumbup: :thumbup:
Not a great deal of health and safety :D :D :D :D
-
I hear meadow muffins are where the casting trade is headed, Wes. You gotta follow the experts! ; )
Or, spade in hand, follow the cattle......
Andy