[TheForge] welding question

[Mark & Sylvia Mondloch]

I'm sure the bell is full of internal stresses .It was in the bell tower
which was acting as a chimney for the fire when it was hit by LOTS of water
from the fire department.There is a crack that goes almost all the way
around the bell about 1/3 down from the top.Also 2 large cracks from the
bottom rim up to that crack.Also smaller cracks off of those.It is on the
verge of falling into pieces.The church is not going to be rebuilt and they
want to use the bell as a marker.Is there any kind of glue or epoxy that
could be used on the inside to hold it together?


---
Mark & Sylvia Mondloch
Silver Creek Pottery & Forge
W6725 Hwy 144
Random Lake ,Wi 53075
HotArt at silvercreekpottery.com
http://www.silvercreekpottery.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andy Vida" <osan at netlabs.net>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 8:41 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] welding question


>
>
> Mark & Sylvia Mondloch wrote:
> >
> > A month or so ago lightning hit the local church and it burned.The bell
was saved but it is cracked pretty badly.Does anyone have a suggestion
> > for welding?The bell weighs about 1000 pounds.They are never going to
ring it again but want to use it in a monument.The cracks seem to be getting
worse and they would like it done before it comes apart completely.Any
suggestions?
>
> If the cracks are propagating of their own, that's probably
> due to internal stresses in the castings.  I would locate
> all the cracks and drill a hole at the end of each one to
> terminate them.  This provides a larger area over which
> the stresses will be distributed and should stop the progress.
> As to diameter, that is hard to say without seeing the bell.
>
> If it won't be used again, I might suggest leaving it alone
> as it is.  If you want a little added insurance, drill one
> more hole at the starting end of each crack (I'm assuming
> they have all started at the rim) perhaps 1" from the rim,
> introduce a steel rod cut to the right length, and braze
> it in place.  This will stabilise the crack on its most
> vulnerable end.  I believe somethign simialr was done with
> the Liberty Bell.
>
> Sounds like you may want to get to it sooner than later.
>
> Best wishes.
>
> -Andy
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