Casting a Bicycle Bell

[Powder Keg]

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.

Casting a Bicycle Bell

Casting a Bicycle Bell

Casting a Bicycle Bell

I plan on making it an ornate bell. Like this pattern with out the letters.

Casting a Bicycle Bell

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

[Powder Keg]

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?

[Brass_Machine]

Want to see this done. I don't cast, so I can't help... Maybe Rob can?

Eric

[sbwhart]

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 

Stew

[Rob.Wilson]

Hi Wes


Never cast a bell myself ,,,, so i am interested to see how this works out 

I would go for this way
 

This way has problems


Rob

[Powder Keg]

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

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.

Casting a Bicycle Bell

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.

Casting a Bicycle Bell

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

Casting a Bicycle Bell

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

Casting a Bicycle Bell

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.Casting a Bicycle Bell

[CallMeAl]

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!

[Stilldrillin]

Love how the original is tyre powered.......   

What a crackin' project! 

Good luck Wes!

David D

[Powder Keg]

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.

Casting a Bicycle Bell

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.

Casting a Bicycle Bell

Also It will have a thinner wall thickness once I get the outside carved.

[doubleboost]

That is a nice piece of wood turning of course you realise the lathe is now contaminated for life

[Powder Keg]

This lathe is so old and wore out that a little sawdust is the least of it's worriesCasting a Bicycle Bell I think I about have the pattern I'm going to carve on the bell about figured out in my head? We'll see.

[Powder Keg]

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 alloyCasting a Bicycle Bell Might be fun?

[Powder Keg]

Hey Rob, Are you using enough cow Dung in your foundry operation???Casting a Bicycle BellCasting a Bicycle BellCasting a Bicycle Bell

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. Casting a Bicycle Bell Makes me wonder what I'm doing wrong

[Powder Keg]

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!!!

[Rob.Wilson]

  I , Wes ,,,,,,,,,,, i can just see the look on the wife's face ,, when i come home with a sack of  cow poo 



Great videos    interesting stuff 

Rob

 

[Dean W]

I hear meadow muffins are where the casting trade is headed, Wes.  You gotta follow the experts!  ; )

[doubleboost]

Interesting videos 
Not a great deal of health and safety

[andyf]

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