This was excellent, thanks. Coming from a custom lighting background, first shop I worked in (2006-2009) bent with sand (brass tube, generally 3/8" and 1/2" diameter, for 1/8" and 1/4" pipe thread, generally around plywood discs), current shop has bent mostly with lead in the past, directed by now deceased (Keep on skiing, Peter) at 81 Viennese trained copper smith. Very interested in the pitch, I may, uh... have a hard time selling the office on freezing light fixtures. 😅
Jacob Medlin also has a similar opinion on bending tubes, with the ripples and the endless hammering seen as an old school, undesirable technique. However, Sarah Willis has commented that once the Alexander guys brought some horns for testing without saying anything, and Sarah and get colleagues found that some horns were much "better" than others, and it turns out those were the hand hammered ones. What's your take on that? Maybe the hand hammered ones have more variability and just selected the best ones for the Berlin Phil to test. You can still order them from Alexander, it's just a mere additional 1000EUR on top 😅
The difference between a bell that's bent with lead and hammered/filed, and a bell bent with ice then hydroformed (which is how modern Alex bends) is immense. Comparing the playability of the two isn't fair. parts bent with lead will be hugely variable. You may find the holy grail amongst an army of duds. If you bend a bell not like an animal, every horn may be the holy grail.
@@milesomalley5605 thank you for the comment. I understand it now why Alex had so much variability in the past, and probably what they do is hand pick the best ones for certain people.
Just doing some research on Harrelson video of CNC 2 half of the tuning slide and solder. I am very curious about those new methods and industrial techniques. Hope @milesomalley5605 have some answers here!
Wow! You're amazing! It all looks beautiful. I have a question, if it's not a secret :-) What is this white mass inside the tube? What you freeze inside? All the best!
Any freezer will work. Mix with water until it’s the consistency of cake batter. When using for the first time mix with water then let sit for an hour. When you come back it’ll be thicker and you’ll need to add more water. Do this 2-3 times
I'm looking forward to working with brass, but I'm currently trying some art work with copper. What do you recommend for bending copper tubing to make pretty bends? Salt works OK but I think your blend might prove to be better. Color me interested.
I used to get ripples on very tight bends with pitch, until I realized that you could do it in 3 bends, remelting in between, and ... no ripples! I only remelt the actual bend area.
Hello, where can i order that pitch? Since i'm not American not sure what it is. Could someone just share me a link of online shop? Thank you very much. 😊
Very informative and helpful video, almost overshadowed by the insufferable attitude.
Bells in the freezer next to the freeze pops it my favorite thing. The perfect way to cool off after a kiln pizza.
Amazing!! you make flawless bends look easy.
Great video. Love the heroic horn music as you bent the bells!
That springy pop-open jig is freaky awesome.
This was excellent, thanks. Coming from a custom lighting background, first shop I worked in (2006-2009) bent with sand (brass tube, generally 3/8" and 1/2" diameter, for 1/8" and 1/4" pipe thread, generally around plywood discs), current shop has bent mostly with lead in the past, directed by now deceased (Keep on skiing, Peter) at 81 Viennese trained copper smith. Very interested in the pitch, I may, uh... have a hard time selling the office on freezing light fixtures. 😅
Very good info thank you, I only used pitch now but heard so much about soapice. Now I won't bother with that.
Jacob Medlin also has a similar opinion on bending tubes, with the ripples and the endless hammering seen as an old school, undesirable technique.
However, Sarah Willis has commented that once the Alexander guys brought some horns for testing without saying anything, and Sarah and get colleagues found that some horns were much "better" than others, and it turns out those were the hand hammered ones.
What's your take on that? Maybe the hand hammered ones have more variability and just selected the best ones for the Berlin Phil to test.
You can still order them from Alexander, it's just a mere additional 1000EUR on top 😅
The difference between a bell that's bent with lead and hammered/filed, and a bell bent with ice then hydroformed (which is how modern Alex bends) is immense. Comparing the playability of the two isn't fair.
parts bent with lead will be hugely variable. You may find the holy grail amongst an army of duds.
If you bend a bell not like an animal, every horn may be the holy grail.
@@milesomalley5605 thank you for the comment.
I understand it now why Alex had so much variability in the past, and probably what they do is hand pick the best ones for certain people.
@@milesomalley5605 I really enjoy your videos, thank you!
Just doing some research on Harrelson video of CNC 2 half of the tuning slide and solder. I am very curious about those new methods and industrial techniques. Hope @milesomalley5605 have some answers here!
Beautiful!
Miles, Do you anneal the brass after the bending Process? I would fear some stress buildup in the compression side and the stretching side... Thanks!
Wow! You're amazing! It all looks beautiful. I have a question, if it's not a secret :-) What is this white mass inside the tube? What you freeze inside? All the best!
I bought the matrix bending from you,what’s the mix ratio? And can I use the freezer from my kitchen refrigerator or I need a freezer like yours?
Any freezer will work. Mix with water until it’s the consistency of cake batter. When using for the first time mix with water then let sit for an hour. When you come back it’ll be thicker and you’ll need to add more water. Do this 2-3 times
@@milesomalley5605 thank you for reply back 🙏
I'm looking forward to working with brass, but I'm currently trying some art work with copper. What do you recommend for bending copper tubing to make pretty bends? Salt works OK but I think your blend might prove to be better. Color me interested.
In the Alexander video, they also show a hollow bending machine, what's your take on that?
Now that I think about it, they press the hollow-bent tubes in a die with steel balls, so it's not straightforward either
Oh you said that's terrible 😅😅😅
May I ask what is the problem of the bending machine？
@@ivantongtrombone I would like to know too, the balls and die afterwards should create a correct tube every time, no?
Yo, who picked Pines for this week? Excellent choice 👌
😘
I used to get ripples on very tight bends with pitch, until I realized that you could do it in 3 bends, remelting in between, and ... no ripples! I only remelt the actual bend area.
Keep in mind it will explode if you get it too hot.
If only I had this video in 1978!
Hello, where can i order that pitch? Since i'm not American not sure what it is. Could someone just share me a link of online shop? Thank you very much. 😊
Those bends are siick