• Bell Casting

    THE ART OF MAKING A BELL

    Verdin™ Bell Foundry, Cincinnati, Ohio

    Bell Casting

Old World Craftsmanship

HOW A BELL IS MADE

Over more than six centuries the basic process for casting bells has not changed. Even though mechanical lathes and modern electronic turning devices are now being used, the precise art of bell casting continues to rely on old world skills that have been handed down from generation to generation.

“CASTING A BELL IS THE WORK OF AN ARTIST WHO HAS DEVELOPED THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL AND VIRTUALLY INDESTRUCTIBLE INSTRUMENT.”

  • The making of a Verdin bell

    STARTS WITH THE PATTERN

    Verdin™ Bell Foundry, Cincinnati, Ohio

The art of making a bell

The art of making fine-tuned church bells, chimes and carillons has not changed much over the last three thousand years, but the technical innovations in the last few centuries make it much easier to design and make the bell. Every Verdin cast bronze bell is handcrafted, starting with a specially constructed mold. A false bell and an exterior mold, called the cope, are created individually for each bell. When the false bell is removed, a space is exposed just large enough to receive a measured amount of precisely formulated molten copper and tin. After cooling for days, the mold is broken apart to release the bell and the mold is never used again.

How a bell is made

VERDIN BELL FOUNDRY, CINCINNATI, OH

A visit to The Verdin Bell Foundry to watch how a bell is made.

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Tuning Cast Bronze Bell

Artisans and old world craftsmanship

The finest skill required for creating a bell is in the grinding, polishing, and tuning. The bell profile and diameter of a bell determine its weight and note in general, but tuned Verdin bells give them a distinctive character. The exact tuning of all partials is achieved by shaving small amounts of metal from the proper locations of the bell interior. By shaving metal from the bell in exactly the right places, the craftsman can lower the notes to perfection. This process is used for all sizes of bells.

Tuning Cast Bronze Bells

The Spirit of Iowa Tribute Bell Night Bell Casting

2017 Iowa State Fair, Verdin Bell Foundry on Wheels™

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The world’s only traveling bell foundry

Verdin’s Bell Foundry on Wheels was originally designed and built by Verdin to help Ohio celebrate its bicentennial. For three years, the foundry traveled throughout Ohio, casting bronze bells for each of the state’s 88 counties in celebration of the bicentennial. To date, the Bell Foundry on Wheels has cast over 119 bronze bells for communities and businesses across the country. The two-day bell casting event is unique, fun, and interactive—allowing the entire community to be involved and enhancing the dedication of your bell or bell tower.

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Bringing bells to the community

VILLAGE OF EVENDALE, OH

Over the Memorial Day weekend, the Village of Evendale held a special ceremony to dedicate its new Tribute Tower to honor first responders. Festivities included the making of a bell with the help of Verdin’s Bell Foundry On Wheels.

Every bell and clock project starts with ideas and inspiration

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There’s a story and inspiration behind every project.

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