Bell making for bullet.

[Ben C]

step by step for you. I have no DVD's left but I am sure someone will do you a copy. I wouldn't mind one back as I have lost the original. Use a Dremel for polishing and watch your fingers I cut mind to ribbons. I would use the flat block over the square one any day.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b26/BenjaminCrane/Bell%20making/stg1.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b26/BenjaminCrane/Bell%20making/stg2.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b26/BenjaminCrane/Bell%20making/stg3.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b26/BenjaminCrane/Bell%20making/stg4.jpg

[Ben C]

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b26/BenjaminCrane/Bell%20making/stg5.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b26/BenjaminCrane/Bell%20making/stg6.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b26/BenjaminCrane/Bell%20making/stg7.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b26/BenjaminCrane/Bell%20making/stg8.jpg

[Ben C]

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b26/BenjaminCrane/Bell%20making/stg9.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b26/BenjaminCrane/Bell%20making/result1.jpg

Use SILVER SOLDER from a jewllers and make the 'dapper' from an ALAN KEY. Have fun and if you need any help send me a PM.

[Bullet]

thanks mate, what metal did you use and what thickness was it?
atb bullet

[Ben C]

I used brass, zinc and copper. If you mix the metals you get lovely colours, but make sure the harder metal is on the bottom or the sound is ****e. Also use welding rods for the cuff as it doesn't cut the leather. The metal I found best was about half a mill.

I have an old doming block and some silver solder if you want them. Also you can buy silver solder in a paste which is beeter to use on the join.

[Sean D]

Ben, what dictates the tone of the bells

[Ben C]

Ben, what dictates the tone of the bells

purely and simply.....................Skill at dapping the metal.


Metal thickness, the weld, the size and shape of the 'ringer'. Metal quality, how clean they are....lots of variables really.

Some of mine were total TOTAL gash, others are still in use.....I am not an expert, but it is fun making them.

[Sean D]

purely and simply.....................Skill at dapping the metal.


Metal thickness, the weld, the size and shape of the 'ringer'. Metal quality, how clean they are....lots of variables really.

Some of mine were total TOTAL gash, others are still in use.....I am not an expert, but it is fun making them.

So do you know what tone you are going to get when you start or do the variables you mention alter with your skill levels

[Ben C]

So do you know what tone you are going to get when you start or do the variables you mention alter with your skill levels

Sean....I have thrown away beautiful looking bells, ones that I thought would be mega but just sounded rubbish. Its really a case of hit and miss with 100% hand made bells. But the guys in Pakistan made consistently good ones, but then again if my wages were provided by bell making I may take a bit more care. :lol::lol:

[Sean D]

Sean....I have thrown away beautiful looking bells, ones that I thought would be mega but just sounded rubbish. Its really a case of hit and miss with 100% hand made bells. But the guys in Pakistan made consistently good ones, but then again if my wages were provided by bell making I may take a bit more care. :lol::lol:

:lol: Thanks for that

[GaryPCO]

moved to more appropriate section

[HunterJen]

Thanks for sharing that with us Ben. I would like to start making bells one day so was very educational.

ATB Jen x

[Ben C]

Thanks for sharing that with us Ben. I would like to start making bells one day so was very educational.

ATB Jen x

Jen. Drop me a PM when you want to start. I will help out as much as possible. It takes about 2 hours to make a pair and its cool when you use them.

[Ben C]

all equipment from this company:

http://www.rashbel.com/Products.asp?cat_id=168

[Tony James]

all equipment from this company:

http://www.rashbel.com/Products.asp?cat_id=168

It's worth looking here too www.rnhorological.co.uk/doming_blocks.htm (http://www.rnhorological.co.uk/doming_blocks.htm)

[Tony James]

It's worth looking here too www.rnhorological.co.uk/doming_blocks.htm (http://www.rnhorological.co.uk/doming_blocks.htm)

Sorry, enter www.jewellertools.co.uk (http://www.jewellertools.co.uk) and follow the link