01-07-2024
The bells, the bells.
Click the image to enlarge and step through other pictures.
After our introduction to the TS Tormentor Sea Cadets in Warsash earlier in the year, we have gradually forged a good relationship with them. We now often receive requests to help restore or refurbish equipment that they use but look a “little worse for wear”.
The latest thing to arrive was their Ships Bell. The varnish was peeling off and the poor old bell had not seen polish for a very long time! Well our Richard Bristowe likes to keep busy and enjoys a challenge so he set about restoring it! Rubbing down done, the wooden frame took some time but by the time Richard had applied 3 coats of varnish it looked worthy of its job.
While he was dismantling it he noticed that the two bolts clamping the bell to the frame were really not fit for purpose . Only just long enough and clamping onto a radius of the casting so they were “half cocked” and would spoil the appearance of the restored unit. Once again not cutting corners, Richard did some fettling on the casting so there was a flat surface to clamp against and used stainless steel pan head bolts with domed nuts to really look the part. That just left the job of polishing the bell. Forget the Brasso or Duraglit, it was T-cut that brought the bell back to life!!
The one thing that Richard did not do, like many of us forget, is a take a picture before the restoration so that it can be appreciated when you look at “before and after” As you would expect, TS Tormentor Cadets were extremely pleased with it and made a generous donation to Fareham Men's Shed thank you and well done Richard!
Author: Chris Hodgson