Editing Bell (section)

===Casting===
Small bells were originally made with the [[lost wax process]] but large bells are cast mouth downwards by filling the air space in a two-part mould with molten metal. Such a mould has an outer section clamped to a base-plate on which an inner core has been constructed.{{sfn|Jennings|1988|pp=3, 10}}

The core is built on the base-plate using porous materials such as [[Coke (fuel)|coke]] or brick and then covered in [[loam]] well mixed with straw and horse manure. This is given a profile corresponding to the inside shape of the finished bell and dried with gentle heat. [[Graphite]] and [[Calcium carbonate#Industrial applications|whiting]] are applied to form the final, smooth surface.

The outside of the mould is made within a perforated cast-iron case, larger than the finished bell, containing the loam mixture which is shaped, dried and smoothed in the same way as the core. The case is inverted (mouth down), lowered over the core and clamped to the base plate. The clamped mould is supported, usually by being buried in a ''casting pit'' to bear the weight of metal and to allow even cooling.{{sfn|Jennings|1988|p=11}}

Historically, before rail or road transport of large bells was possible, a "bell pit" was often dug in the grounds of the building where the bell was to be installed. Molten bell metal is poured into the mould through a box lined with [[Sand casting#Molding box and materials|foundry sand]]. The founder would bring his casting tools to the site, and a furnace would be built next to the pit.