December 12, 200916 yr 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.
December 12, 200916 yr DiverMike, Thanks for the post, I am hoping to do some of these tomorrow. you gave some great photos and pointers. Again thanks! Steve
December 12, 200916 yr 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, 200916 yr by BIGGUNDOCTOR
December 12, 200916 yr Author 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!??!
December 12, 200916 yr 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.
December 12, 200916 yr 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
December 13, 200916 yr 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
December 13, 200916 yr 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.
December 13, 200916 yr Author 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?"
December 13, 200916 yr Baby rattle??? The poor kid would knock themselves out if they were shaking it too hard. Mark
December 14, 200916 yr 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.
December 14, 200916 yr Author 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.
December 14, 200916 yr 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
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