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Posted:
Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:25 pmby congalou
Hello,
Here is some photo of my old enormous handmade campana.
Never need microphone even in a Big band with 50 musicians !!!! :angry:
Galou.
www.myspace.com/congalou
Attachment:
http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... e_cot_.JPG
Posted:
Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:29 pmby congalou
Posted:
Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:38 pmby CongaTick
Lou,
That's a big hunk of steel!
Posted:
Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:58 pmby congalou
Almost !!! I used a 2mm thick metal sheet.... I maybe could try baseball bat to play with !!!
Attachment:
http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... _rieur.JPG
Posted:
Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:11 amby Chupacabra
I thought I heard that baby last night! Were you playing it?
Posted:
Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:11 pmby congalou
Yeah !!!
Near Paris, I had an audition for a new band but they don't want to hire me.... don't understand....
:p
Attachment:
http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... cloche.jpg
Posted:
Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:52 pmby Diceman
Congalou,
C'est un grand campana, mon brave!
I am glad you use a baseball bat and not a cigar and I am sure the band were looking for Le Bossu de Notre Dame ???
I admire the fact that you are into making your own instruments- I wish I had a workshop.
Suave
Posted:
Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:14 pmby Congadelica
Ding Dong :p
Posted:
Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:57 pmby maelopr
-Nice campana! I can imagine you have one bicep at least 3 inches bigger than the other.... 
Posted:
Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:58 pmby maelopr
-Nice campana! I can imagine you have one bicep at least 3 inches bigger than the other....
Posted:
Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:18 pmby congalou
Yeah !!
I will maybe try bobybuilding if I have to make concerts with this !!!
GL.
Posted:
Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:43 amby Chupacabra
Congalou, did you anneal or normalize the campana after you welded it? If so, how long did you heat it for and what colour?
Edited By Chupacabra on 1202013885
Posted:
Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:11 pmby congalou
Hello Chupacabra,
What do "anneal" mean ? I don't find translation.
So, after welding, I have sand the campana, let it rust a little and use a metal varnish.
But after playing a lot, the stick broke the varnish as you can see on the photos, I'd better let it rust more for fixed well the varnish (and use better varnish too).
I don't heat the metal and the varnish is clear, varnish with rust give this color.
Posted:
Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:59 pmby Chupacabra
Hi Congalou,
In blacksmithing, to anneal something like steel, the blacksmith would heat the item to the prescribed temperature for a prescribed time. The variables depend on the grade of steel (amount of carbon), the amount, thickness and other factors. To indicate temperature you would use the colour of the steel when you heat it (need experience), or temperature indicating markers (foolproof). Technical specs on the steel are available from the suppliers. When the steel is annealed the grain is refined to the point where all the stresses are relieved, especially where the weld is. It also softens the steel, which wouldn't be desirable for a bell. This is where "normalizing" comes in. This process involves heating the steel to the prescribed temperature again (usually bright, cherry red) and quickly dipping it in brine, or just water and letting it cool in air. This reintroduces some hardness back to the steel and you have (insert technical term here) minimal stresses in the steel, which could affect the sound of the bell. These are just a couple of the basic techniques that the old, village blacksmiths have been practising for centuries!
There is also case-hardening but that's another topic!
If I had a shop to experiment in, this would be one of the first things I would try. It's costly, though. The price of acetylene is through the roof!
Posted:
Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:29 amby congalou
Thanks Chupacabra, It's very interesting !
You're right, It's could be great for the sound to softens the steel.
My campana is too thick (2mm) and too solid... It sound very heavy but not very musical !!!... :p
That's my first, I will do better for the others :;): and This technique could be great.
And about the finish, maybe it could be great to quickly dipping in old engine oil, to protect against the rust and make a nice finish...
But do you think that Bell producers like LP or Meinl use this technique because, it could be very expensive I think. You're right, acetylene is very expensive !!!
Maybe they use just good metal, welding, maybe tuning for have a good note, chrome and that's OK... don't know....
G.
