REHANGS & REFURBISHMENTS
Wide experience
Nicholson Engineering has many years experience in the rehanging and restoration of bells of all kinds. We offer the fullest range of services, the following being but a brief representation; Rehanging with new cast-iron, steel or hardwood headstocks and deadstocks, together with the manufacture of all other ringing fittings including wheels, stays, sliders, clappers, crown staples, chiming hammers, clock hammers etc. etc.
The design, construction and installation of bellframes is in fabricated steel, cast-iron and hardwood. Conservation work to old bells, including the removal of cast-in crown staples and their stumps, drilling centre holes, casting resin pads. We have a close working relationship with the world leaders in the repair and restoration of cracked bells.
We design the profiles for all our new bells in-house, taking great care to produce matching profiles for use when adding new bells or recasting existing bells. As a result, we can provide bells which are a perfect splice with the work of any foundry or period. We have two tuning machines. Our small machine can accommodate a bell of up to about 14cwt and was originally made in 1907 for Gillett & Johnston of Croydon when they adopted Simpon or true harmonic tuning, the machine having been moved to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in the 1950’s. Our large machine, which can accommodate a bell of up to eight tonnes, was originally built for the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, both it and our small machine having been purchased from Whitechapel when their foundry closed. The two tuning machines were extensively refurbished by us when they came here. Both new and existing bells are accurately tuned here in our works using the very latest techniques to the very highest standards.
The provision of new and second-hand bells of all kinds, from a town criers bell to the largest bourdon weighing many tonnes. Advice on the design and layout of bell towers including sound control.
Working with local volunteers
Wherever possible we offer churches the possibility of substantial savings if they can provide the fit, able-bodied assistance of local people to assist with all the site-work. This has the added bonus of enabling us to provide some on-the-job training in the future maintenance of the installation. The provision of local labour in this way is something which we actively encourage and we have made many good friends in this way. We do insist that all those assisting in this way are fully insured by the parish.
Wide experience
Nicholson Engineering has many years experience in the rehanging and restoration of bells of all kinds. We offer the fullest range of services, the following being but a brief representation; Rehanging with new cast-iron, steel or hardwood headstocks and deadstocks, together with the manufacture of all other ringing fittings including wheels, stays, sliders, clappers, crown staples, chiming hammers, clock hammers etc. etc.
The design, construction and installation of bellframes is in fabricated steel, cast-iron and hardwood. Conservation work to old bells, including the removal of cast-in crown staples and their stumps, drilling centre holes, casting resin pads. We have a close working relationship with the world leaders in the repair and restoration of cracked bells.
We design the profiles for all our new bells in-house, taking great care to produce matching profiles for use when adding new bells or recasting existing bells. As a result, we can provide bells which are a perfect splice with the work of any foundry or period. We have two tuning machines. Our small machine can accommodate a bell of up to about 14cwt and was originally made in 1907 for Gillett & Johnston of Croydon when they adopted Simpon or true harmonic tuning, the machine having been moved to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in the 1950’s. Our large machine, which can accommodate a bell of up to eight tonnes, was originally built for the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, both it and our small machine having been purchased from Whitechapel when their foundry closed. The two tuning machines were extensively refurbished by us when they came here. Both new and existing bells are accurately tuned here in our works using the very latest techniques to the very highest standards.
The provision of new and second-hand bells of all kinds, from a town criers bell to the largest bourdon weighing many tonnes. Advice on the design and layout of bell towers including sound control.
Working with local volunteers
Wherever possible we offer churches the possibility of substantial savings if they can provide the fit, able-bodied assistance of local people to assist with all the site-work. This has the added bonus of enabling us to provide some on-the-job training in the future maintenance of the installation. The provision of local labour in this way is something which we actively encourage and we have made many good friends in this way. We do insist that all those assisting in this way are fully insured by the parish.
