Thread: Ok - who's made one of these before?

Originally Posted by veloaficionado

Yes, I'm a bellringer AND a woodworker (two time consuming trainspotter hobbies) and want the bells in my home tower to be easier to ring.

Just in case you live near me or anyone I visit, NO I think the craft is long-dead.



Okay, that's a bit harsh.

Just in case you live near me or anyone I visit, NO I think the craft is long-dead. - do you do requests?

I don't reckon there's anyone on the Gold Coast who gives a rat's about Anglo organised religion anyway. But thanks for your concern.

Ouch! Didn't mean to offend. I thought the thread was about bell wheels and their uses.

Originally Posted by veloaficionado

I don't reckon there's anyone on the Gold Coast who gives a rat's about Anglo organised religion anyway. But thanks for your concern.

You'd be surprised.

We locals typically live in suburbia or on acreage, of no real interest to the media, hence unknown to the population in general. Day-trippers and weekenders from Brisbane and surrounds mostly haunt the beaches or shopping centres and are usually harmless.

It's mainly those "tourists" with no interest in tourism and come for the place's reputation who end up giving the place it's reputation.

As an apprentice I had the task of making a few of these. Timber of choice was Crows ash. Did one that was Spotted gum but couldnt hold a candle to the Crows ash. For a 700kg bell the design you have there would be way too light (IMHO) Anything I've seen for much over 500kg has been metal.

I am surprised you are able to find time for woodworking and bell ringing. I was a ringer for several years in Perth prior to coming to Tasmania and found it to be a totally consuming and addictive pastime. Definitely not one for the instant gratification brigade.

I got the chance to repair one of the wheels at Swan Bells which had a split rim and was surprised that even on these wheels, which unlike the bells themselves, were only a few years old the design/construction was pretty much the same as those in St Georges Cathedral just up the road which are considerably more than a few years old.

I seem to recall trying to find info on the internet at the time regarding wheel construction without much luck. I suspect you will be largely on your own with the repairs/improvements.

That's All

Just saw Rusty Nails response. I don't think the over 500kg needs a metal wheel idea is correct. At Swan the biggest bell was 1500kg and that still had a wooden wheel.

Philip

Originally Posted by veloaficionado

I don't reckon there's anyone on the Gold Coast who gives a rat's about Anglo organised religion anyway. But thanks for your concern.

....................for whom the bell tolls................

I saw a number of monster wooden cogs, just recently in Europe which were no more than what the wooden clock maker guys use but massively bigger. Anyway the point is that the rims of both those (and cart wheels now I think about it) are made in curved sections joined. Both the big cogs and old cart wheels would surely be overkill for your needs,
I have some pix if you are interested (and also some pix of bell towers in spain from a few years ago which might also give some clues)

Regards
SWK

Originally Posted by HuonPhil

Just saw Rusty Nails response. I don't think the over 500kg needs a metal wheel idea is correct. At Swan the biggest bell was 1500kg and that still had a wooden wheel.

Philip

These heavy bell wheels can still be done in timber, its just that they are placed under heavy load which takes a toll (pardon the pun) on the joinery. My comment was directed at the photo in the original post. That particular wheel is for a light bell.