divermike Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 I recieved the package from Zoeller Forge (thanks Larry) a couple days ago, finally had time to go out and have at them. I decided to do them this way, 1. cold chisel and punch some designs in the plates. 2. use some shaping tools I had gotten at a recent auction. Bottom cup and top ball tool, slightly offset, driven down into it. 3. Cup them thusly 4. Draw out and head stem and put in pre drilled hole. 5. Drop in Ball bearing and finish bending over leaves. 6. Hot wax application finish after some grinding. by the way, on a couple I cheated and tack welded the stems on the inside, I'm gonna do that to the rest, it makes em soooo much easier to work with. I know some ladies who are gonna be real happy I thought of them this Christmas!! Tomorrow I'm gonna do 5 more, now that I've got the kinks kinda worked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeypm Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 DiverMike, Thanks for the post, I am hoping to do some of these tomorrow. you gave some great photos and pointers. Again thanks! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 (edited) How do they sound? Do they have a nice ring? I understand the bottom cupping operation, but what about the top? Do you curve them first horizontally, then bend them up? Edited December 12, 2009 by BIGGUNDOCTOR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted December 12, 2009 Author Share Posted December 12, 2009 I used the ball tool to shape the leaves over and down, and then just closed the by taps, and patience. The 3/8ths ball bearings sound great, with just one exception, and I can't figure out why that one sounds more like a rattle!??! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hammer Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 Divermike... Nice work.... Regarding the one that seems to rattle.... If the stem isn't solid to the bell, the bell won't ring like it should. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf's Den Armoury Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 I used the ball tool to shape the leaves over and down, and then just closed the by taps, and patience. The 3/8ths ball bearings sound great, with just one exception, and I can't figure out why that one sounds more like a rattle!??! Why not just make it *into* a rattle? Would make nice baby gifts. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKFrosty57 Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Very cool Mike. Drats! something else to put on my gotta try it list when I can go back to the fire Okay, scratch the drats I like these, lots. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Creek Blacksmith Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Nice bells!! I got to get over to the Vocational High school they will cut out the bells for me on their CNC and won't cost a dime just need to furnish material. I think I should of started making Christmas Presents in June. Need to make tooling before project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted December 13, 2009 Author Share Posted December 13, 2009 Ok guys, thanks! I fingered out why the rattle effect takes place, DO NOT, I repeat, do not, let the leaves touch!! I found out by experimenting with a flat blade screwdriver, what's wierd is after about 2 hours, one went from a nice ring, to a rattle, so I started looking at the differences, and somehow it had shrunk shut. So as you bend the leaves closed around the tool, leave about an 1/8" gap, so simple now that I know!! But that's the beauty of this art, trial and "oh xxxx, why didn't I think of that?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Emig Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Baby rattle??? The poor kid would knock themselves out if they were shaking it too hard. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Nice, Mike. Thanks for sharing that with us. What thicknes of sheetmetal did you use? I like the tooling that you used to cup them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 the pre cut blanks from zoeller forge look to be 1/8th" and they work out well, I want to get some of the bigger ones next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Trez Cole Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 they look great good idea. can't wait to have some extra time to make some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 the pre cut blanks from zoeller forge look to be 1/8th" and they work out well, I want to get some of the bigger ones next. is someone out there cutting the larger ones out?..I'ed like to make some of the bigger ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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