I have an old USN 12 inch diam or so bell that seems to be made at least partway with iron. (It is somewhat rusty.) I am thinking of cleaning it up and getting it bronze coated for appearance and durability. Any suggestions on the best way to go about it? Any information on Steel navy bells? Thank You. Bill S/V Gumption
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Jack
Bell
I don't know anything about Navy Bells but I do know that you should not clean up an antique to make it look new again. Many a fortune has been lost by people removing the patina of an older object. Check it out woith an antique dealer before applying the Brasso.
I don't know anything about Navy Bells but I do know that you should not clean up an antique to make it look new again. Many a fortune has been lost by people removing the patina of an older object. Check it out woith an antique dealer before applying the Brasso.
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Matt
While I agree with Jack's post, the best cleaning
method I have found to shine up metals/brass is to first clean it with a dremel using the metal shining attachment wheel on a low RPM. This works especially well when removing rust. Then polish it with brasso.
method I have found to shine up metals/brass is to first clean it with a dremel using the metal shining attachment wheel on a low RPM. This works especially well when removing rust. Then polish it with brasso.
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Bill Boyke
Thanks, but it needed work.
It was left in the weather long enough that the rust looked like brown velvet. I would like to clean it up and make it presentable for use on my boat. I am going to sand blast off the rust and give it a good cleaning. If it were still in the navy it would still be polished often, so I am just returning it to service. Thanks. I still would like to give it a bronze coating for protection, but maybe raw steel is good enough.
It was left in the weather long enough that the rust looked like brown velvet. I would like to clean it up and make it presentable for use on my boat. I am going to sand blast off the rust and give it a good cleaning. If it were still in the navy it would still be polished often, so I am just returning it to service. Thanks. I still would like to give it a bronze coating for protection, but maybe raw steel is good enough.
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Garry @ S/V TASHTEGO
Bell
Have you tested your bell with a magnet to make sure its iron or steel? Sand blasting is probably too vigorous for the bell if there is engraving or other fine decoration on it. Try to find someone who can use one of the lighter treatments like glass bead or walnut shell blasting. Be very carefull when going at it with the dremel tool. You can start removing metal at a teriffic rate if you're not careful. If you do use the dremel, try to get some Cratex wheels. The are made of diamond dust imbedded in rubber and they polish beautifully.
Have you tested your bell with a magnet to make sure its iron or steel? Sand blasting is probably too vigorous for the bell if there is engraving or other fine decoration on it. Try to find someone who can use one of the lighter treatments like glass bead or walnut shell blasting. Be very carefull when going at it with the dremel tool. You can start removing metal at a teriffic rate if you're not careful. If you do use the dremel, try to get some Cratex wheels. The are made of diamond dust imbedded in rubber and they polish beautifully.
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Paul Akers
Check this URL
Ironically, there was a story in the Providence, RI paper today about a guy who wants to restore some old bells from a Fall River, MA high school. Check it out. Maybe you can call him. I don't know how long the story will stay there. Good Luck. http://www.projo.com/cgi-bin/story.pl/massachusetts/06067631.htm
Ironically, there was a story in the Providence, RI paper today about a guy who wants to restore some old bells from a Fall River, MA high school. Check it out. Maybe you can call him. I don't know how long the story will stay there. Good Luck. http://www.projo.com/cgi-bin/story.pl/massachusetts/06067631.htm
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Bill Boyke
Info on bell.
It is a 9.5 inch diameter bell standing about 9 inches high. It is magnetic and has the letters U.S.N. on one side of the bell flare. No extra decorations and very little remains of what looks like a bronze/gold wash inside and out. The rust coating was over much of the surface but it did pit it unless I am looking at a coated rough casting. The bell is a fixed mount to a small bronze crossbar. The clapper is internal connected to a threaded shaft that goes through the bell and fastens over the crossbar. Since it is magnetic, I will not mount it close to the compass.
It is a 9.5 inch diameter bell standing about 9 inches high. It is magnetic and has the letters U.S.N. on one side of the bell flare. No extra decorations and very little remains of what looks like a bronze/gold wash inside and out. The rust coating was over much of the surface but it did pit it unless I am looking at a coated rough casting. The bell is a fixed mount to a small bronze crossbar. The clapper is internal connected to a threaded shaft that goes through the bell and fastens over the crossbar. Since it is magnetic, I will not mount it close to the compass.
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Rick Webb
Bumper Shop
Not sure if there are many around anymore but a place like that could clean it up and put a finish on it and make it look better than new.
Not sure if there are many around anymore but a place like that could clean it up and put a finish on it and make it look better than new.
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