How to Make a Simple Silver Bell: A Silversmithing Tutorial

[@michaelwarren4122]

Nice project. Gives me lots of ideas. Will try and make some myself. Thanks!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Michael! This was easier than I expected:)

[@ericericson4]

Would it be easier, if you drilled a hole in the center of your disk before you dap it? That way you could make the ring on the end of a long wire and attach your clapper outside the bell. Then insert the long wire through the hole, pull the clapper into place and then solder it from the outside. (if any adjustments need to be made, slide the wire out and easily make changes.) Lovely job!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Doh! I should have thought of that:). Good idea Eric!

[@torstenneuer1560]

The hole could end up misaligned after dapping. So better to drill it afterwards.

[@ericericson4]

@@torstenneuer1560 It shouldn't, the center of the disk will remain the center of the cup. This is the same process used when making silver beads. I have a set of disk punches that have a center point marker to make finding that point easier. Also, it's much easier to hold before it's dapped.

[@22nola]

So that’s how it is done! Thanks for the informative video. For my skill level trying to solder that interior jump ring is a killer. I think drilling a hole after assembly would make it easier to install the clapper.

[@chadssilversmithing]

In hindsight, that’s probably an easier strategy:). Thanks for the nice comment 22nola!

[@edatao2]

Nice video, relaxing, informative, and great job!! Thank You

[@chadssilversmithing]

I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the nice comment:)

[@Sangwien-np6or]

good job

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thank you!

[@DebMachen]

Great way to start a thimble also, thank you beautiful bell❤

[@chadssilversmithing]

I actually had the same thought when I was making it:)

[@nazufani4016]

Why would anyone press the like button before they watched your video? My inquiring mind wants to know.....& I mean this in the nicest possible way. ☮️💖🌻

[@chadssilversmithing]

@@nazufani4016 The algorithm KZbin uses promotes videos with more likes. It’s mostly a reminder to my followers that it helps me out. It’s not required, only appreciated:)

[@kristilooney13]

Love it!!💟 It might be easier to drill a hole in the bell for the clapper.....Ive been wanting to make a bell and you've inspired me to go for it.😁 Ty!!!!! xxx

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Kristi! I think you're right. Should've thought of that:)

[@elainefeather9465]

Oooh, that’s so pretty ! I think it would make a beautiful Christmas ornament, it would go well with a sprig of mistletoe or a bit of holly, all made of silver of course 😊

[@chadssilversmithing]

That's a really good idea Elaine!

[@jimconacher104]

Thank you so much from a old broke down USN vet. I have been buying stuff for my stone cutting and now I have decided to make my own setting and stuff. I went out a month ago and got a oxy/acc set up and the bottles and I liked to of died when they told me the bill on the tanks. the info on your torch is great. Now next month I will become another one of your patrons because of the money that I will be saving just from the oxy that I wont be getting. I love doing things like your bell but I am just starting out but I will get there. Thank you so much for this video. Take care and take it easy

[@chadssilversmithing]

@@jimconacher104 Thank you Jim, and thanks for your service! I wish I had more time to do some lapidary as well. You might check out some garage sales. I have found a few acetylene/air torches at those. You want to make sure to do a leak check on the fittings and hoses if you do buy an old one, but often they’re pretty cheap. Thanks for the nice comment, and have fun with your new vocation:)

[@jimconacher104]

@@chadssilversmithing Thank you

[@LlandereJewelry]

Every time a bell ring a angel gets their wings. Thank you for sharing this. 😀

[@chadssilversmithing]

My pleasure LlandereJewelry! Glad you liked it:)

[@terricoffey5550]

I’m going to have to try this today! Thank you!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Send a pic of your bell to my instagram when you are done Terri. I'd love to see it:)

[@NewLife-qj9mx]

This video came up as a recommendation after watching one of my own, lol Looks like they are promoting you 👍

[@chadssilversmithing]

Yes:). This one is doing quite well!

[@KyleneeBoBeanie]

Who is the glass collector in your house? That swung vase in the background is beautiful!

[@chadssilversmithing]

That vase came down to us from my wife's parents. Thanks for teaching me a new term:)

[@ElinHaugan]

Turned out good and it looks fairly easy to make as well 😊

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Elin! It was easier than I expected:)

[@jamest.5001]

Is there a reason why you wouldn't carve the shape from wax. Then coat it in plaster. And place it in ultra fine sand. And cast the bell shape? Using the lost wax method,? Seems it would save tons of time. Thank you for the awesome video sharing this knowledge! ✌️

[@chadssilversmithing]

@@jamest.5001 Hello James! I don’t do lost wax casting. I’m a fabricator. I did a little casting years ago, and it was fun to try, but I really like the process of building a piece step by step like I do:). Thanks for the nice comment!

[@reidsmith9575]

Chad, you continually make me feel like I can do more that I imagine. I just may do this one.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Reid! If you do, someone suggested drilling the top center and feeding the clapper holder wire already attached to the clapper up through the hole and then create a loop on top from that wire as the upper loop.

[@carolshuey1972]

Turned out very well Chad! A solid A+. Now you got me singing Silver bells. 😆

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Carol:). I kept getting that stuck in my head as well!

[@toinettevanschalkwyk8378]

That is too cute. I love it! 🤩

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Toinette!

[@gregroth4696]

Does it ring at all? I made a bell out of a 50 cal brass shell once and it rang pretty well until I annealed it to create the flair. Any suggestions? Ice water quench? That would make me ring! 😀joking. Or Tumble it? Perhaps? The science of bells.

[@alexsar54]

Made a number of bells from brass and silver. Never was happy with the sound, until I textured the surface of the bell with a Foredom hammer handpiece - that has dramatically improved the sound. But of course there is still a number of variables to play with, like the thickness of the material, the general shape geometry, length of the clapper bar, etc.

[@gregroth4696]

@@alexsar54 I’ll try this hammering idea next time I make one. Oh and perhaps a steel clapper. Maybe stainless. Thanks for your ideas Chad! Christmas is coming!

[@timothyferguson105]

What kind of torch are you using? Looks like just what I need. I would give you at least an A on the bell, looks great!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks Timothy! It is a Smith "Silversmith" torch which is Smith's Acetylene/air torch. Definitely recommend this type of torch for silver work. Thanks for the nice comment:)

[@carolcribby8642]

Hey Chad my name is Carol.. So I just came across your page, so I make jewelry myself I do wire wrapping with copper and silver. And I also do bead weaving.. So a couple of years ago I ordered some silver clay, just wondering if you ever worked with silver clay???

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Carol! I actually have never tried working with that. One of my friends has played with it quite a bit and created some really fun stuff. She likes working with it.

[@civilizationkills3138]

Cooooool

[@chadssilversmithing]

Thanks!

[@terricoffey5550]

After anealing, are you quenching, or allowing the silver to cool on its own?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hello Terri! I am cooling for about a minute and then quenching:)

[@ericericson4]

If you want to go "by the book", the faster you cool it the "softer it will be. But usually, at the bench, it doesn't matter. You can do either.

[@Dippedinsilver1974]

Clap on clap off, the clapper 👏 👏

[@chadssilversmithing]

That must have been an effective jingle:). I can’t read that without hearing the commercial in my head. Thanks for the fun comment:)

[@torstenneuer1560]

I would have made a hole in the top of the bell, then a loop on a wire, solder that shut and attach the clapper. Then the wire would go through the hole where it gets soldered. Then just make a loop on the rest of the wire and solder that shut.

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hehe. I should have thought of that:). Good idea!

[@torstenneuer1560]

@@chadssilversmithing Also the ball on the clapper: You could simply ball up the wire or, if the ball is too heavy for that, fuse it to the wire. No need for soldering. Less cleanup.

[@channeljulio4139]

Does fine silver have a noticeably nicer ring than sterling silver?

[@chadssilversmithing]

This is my first bell Julio, so I don't honestly know. My intuition says that since sterling is a little harder, it should ring better. That is only speculation on my part. Anyone else here know?

[@terricoffey5550]

Another question, are you pickling after each solder joint?

[@chadssilversmithing]

Only if things are really gummed up with flux:)

[@KalynDiamond]

Silver bells… Silver bells… it’s almost Christmas time in the city 🎄🎄🎄

[@chadssilversmithing]

Yeah, that song is stuck in my head now:). Thanks for the nice comment Kalyn!

[@KalynDiamond]

@ beautiful piece… I enjoyed watching you create it!!

[@davidwrobel8089]

Couldn't hear it, maybe cause it so small. I believe most functioning bells are caste. You created a trinket for a bracelet or necklace.

[@chadssilversmithing]

I did indeed!

[@jasonwirth9079]

Bunch of rambling until 3 minute mark. Then very informative show.

[@chadssilversmithing]

A perfect description of my videos:)!

[@terricoffey5550]

I’m afraid if I try to get my angst out, it would flatten the silver!

[@chadssilversmithing]

Hehe. me too!