Wooden Bell

[bbocaner]

It's not layed-up construction or bent, it's turned from two pieces which are glued together. The black inside is painted, a nod to the fact that this maker doesn't buff out the oxidation from annealing on the inside of their brass trombone bells, it's their gimmick. The lines you're seeing down the length of the bell is natural figuring in the "tiger" maple they used.

[sousaphone68]

Here's a dude that has made an entirely wooden trombone including the mp does not sound great but you have to admire the wood working skill look at his other videos and you will see the steps in producing a valved trumpet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzK50H2M ... ata_player" target="_blank

[J.c. Sherman]

It's not layed-up construction or bent, it's turned from two pieces which are glued together. The black inside is painted, a nod to the fact that this maker doesn't buff out the oxidation from annealing on the inside of their brass trombone bells, it's their gimmick. The lines you're seeing down the length of the bell is natural figuring in the "tiger" maple they used.

Thanks - I had a sense that would be the way; there's loads of historic precetence for doing it that way. You actually could do it in two longitudinal halves as well without turning at all, as with a serpent, but this looks clean and well made!

Putting together w wood tuba bell would be very costly, as finding pieces of hardwood that large for turning would be VERY expensive!

Could be a fun project for a King removable bell

[Rick Denney]

If it's a layup of plywood

... but it isn't, right?

Dunno. I am rarely where I can watch videos. But there was discussion of using that technique, and I was discussing the consequences. Personally, I think that's a better way to go than turning from solid wood, which will have a range of assymetries and weaknesses (structural, that is).

Rick "not thinking a tuba sound needs or will include much contribution from the vibration of the wood" Denney

[Donn]

For strength and durability, I think once you decide to do a wood bell, you're doomed either way. At least the way they do it does involve some lamination, rather than one single piece of wood, which should make it a little less likely to split on its own with humidity changes.

[MileMarkerZero]

Make it out of Brazilian Walnut aka Ironwood. It'd weigh more than brass, but you wouldn't hurt it easily. Of course, you'd also spend a fortune on turning tools...laid a 16x16 deck made of the stuff. Went through 4 saw blades.

[Michael Bush]

Looks to me like the reason it's two pieces is just to keep costs down. Otherwise you'd have to start with a blank big enough to get the flare out of for the whole length of the bell.

The more I've thought about it, the less I see this as a technical challenge. If you've got the inside dimensions, a good chuck, a steady rest, a boring bar, and a hook or ring tool, you could do it without much difficulty. I'm tempted to try it, but my wife is pushing hard for her chairs to be finished, so...

[imperialbari]

So you are the chairman of the house?

[Donn]

Looks to me like the reason it's two pieces is just to keep costs down. Otherwise you'd have to start with a blank big enough to get the flare out of for the whole length of the bell.

The more I've thought about it, the less I see this as a technical challenge. If you've got the inside dimensions, a good chuck, a steady rest, a boring bar, and a hook or ring tool, you could do it without much difficulty. I'm tempted to try it, but my wife is pushing hard for her chairs to be finished, so...

I still see more than two pieces. It's pretty blurry, but just because one of them is darker - the dark piece is from "CUSTOM" out to the double line of small blurry text, about an inch. Anyway, a tuba bell would sure call for some creative way to put the stock together, and that's what you should be working on.

[Michael Bush]

I still see more than two pieces. It's pretty blurry, but just because one of them is darker - the dark piece is from "CUSTOM" out to the double line of small blurry text, about an inch.

You are right, I missed it. There is another piece in there.