Hi there!
I have searched the archives and can’t find the answer/answers I’m
desperately seeking! Do you have any advice/instructions on how to
make a mexican bola bell/chime bell/harmony bell please?
I have heard the trick is to make 2 domes, solder a fork like shape
(brass/copper) in one or both of the dome ends, put a steel ball
bearing in one half, and then solder the 2 halves together, creating
a vacuum.
I don’t know how to create the vacuum and everytime I make one it
rattles instead of chiming like it should 
Please help!
Warmest Regards,
Bridget
Hi Bridget,
I cut one of those balls in half to find out how they are made.
Each hemisphere has a lining (a shallower dish) soldered to its rim.
Before it is soldered into the outer hemisphere this shallow bowl is
cut across its diameter (just short of cutting it in two.) then cuts
are made across that cut making fingers of different lengths. When
both hemispheres are ready it is important that their rims are
perfectly flat so that a perfect solder joint results. Place 1 or 2
scraps of silver inside and solder the two hemispheres together. Try
not to let too much flux run inside as it might make the scraps stick
to the “fingers”. besure you solder whatever bail, loop or decoration
BEFORE soldering the two halves together! If you heat after the
sphere is complete it can explode dangerously. The first time I made
one of these I picked it up while still hot and was d= isappointed
that it didn’t “ring”. After it had cooled, however, the vacuum
formed and it rang beautifully. I hope this helps, they are fun to
make! Karen
Hi Bridget,
I cut one of those balls in half to find out how they are made.
Each hemisphere has a lining (a shallower dish) soldered to its rim.
Before it is soldered into the outer hemisphere this shallow bowl is
cut across its diameter (just short of cutting it in two.) then cuts
are made across that cut making fingers of different lengths. When
both hemispheres are ready it is important that their rims are
perfectly flat so that a perfect solder joint results. Place 1 or 2
scraps of silver inside and solder the two hemispheres together. Try
not to let too much flux run inside as it might make the scraps
stick to the “fingers”. besure you solder whatever bail, loop or
decoration BEFORE soldering the two halves together! If you heat
after the sphere is complete it can explode dangerously. The first
time I made one of these I picked it up while still hot and was d=
isappointed that it didn’t “ring”. After it had cooled, however, the
vacuum formed and it rang beautifully. I hope this helps, they are
fun to make! Karen