Fixing an Old School Bell and Welding Cast Iron

This project has been on the back burner long enough. This bell was my Dads and got broken two moves ago when it was dropped. Finally gonna get it fixed and put it to use.

[@wariodolby]

I have the same bell. Our bell wont sit level!! Any suggestions to get it level?

[@markellyfarm]

Ours never stops perfectly in the middle either. It really isn't an issue. The rough casting pretty much holds it wherever it wants to stop. If they used ball bearings back in the day, it might sit straight.

[@rondelby2482]

I had a 20 inch bell welded successfully The bell itself was cracked and i ground out the hairline crack all the way through and my neighbor tig welded it and cleaned the rough down ant it rings like a new one. its over a hundred years old.

[@markellyfarm]

Nice! Gotta preserve history!

[@troyb1733]

Mark we had a neighbor out at the cabin and he collected these types of bells. He told me about them and they were called "3" mile bells....."5" mile bells,ect. because they would ring them at the old schools and you could hear them that many miles away. His all had different rings and they were loud and beautiful. Some where on your bell there should be a number and that will tell you how far away your bell can be heard. ( it will be cast in)

[@markellyfarm]

Great info. I never knew that. Now I have to look.

[@troyb1733]

Please let me know.@@markellyfarm

[@RonaldDelby]

I just subscribed.

[@markellyfarm]

Welcome to Markelly Farm!

[@RonaldDelby]

Have you ever welded crack in a bell itself?

[@markellyfarm]

Nope, but it could probably be done.

[@RonaldDelby]

@@markellyfarm My neighbor welded up a 20 inch cracked one. It rings good and has stayed strong. I got a video of it I would like to share with you. The bells themslves were made of cast steel alloy but the yokes and parts were cast iron.

[@RonaldDelby]

@@markellyfarm grinding a crack all the way through and filling the inside of the bell with sand. The sand would catch any run off and that way the weld would be solid all the way through the bell