Piece of Cake
The latest monster is completed and the paint is drying. Went with the "yellow cake" theme. You like? This one was a big experiment. I got it to 57kg which is in the ball park of where I figured it would end up. However, I was hoping to get closer to 60kg. I learned a few important lessons on this particular job. As I suspected bell type/size and also the type of lead used makes a difference. Every time I drill into these things I find something different. It is always something strange. Paint can also be problematic. If I can make any recommendation it would be to use Rustoleum. I find the professional grade stuff to be most durable. I am starting to think Krylon is krap. Flat paint is far less durable than glossy but I understand not everyone likes the glossy look or feel. On a kettlebell, a matte finish seems more appropriate. The only flat spray I have found to be decent is the Rustoleum professional. Obviously you want to use this outdoors or in a well ventilated area. The vapors aren't exactly good for you. Also, the device my Dad came up with to anchor the bell whilst the plate is being welded, works like a charm. It should be patented (if there were actually a market for this stuff). Maybe it can be featured at the next melting cert.
In other news training is going ok. i am in the midst of the Rostov program again. If you aren't familiar with this check out my previous entry on this program. Not at all fun but it is teaching me a lot more this time around. I like some of the shorter intervals because it allows you to work a lot of volume and also it allows you to train right at the edge of exhaustion for a while. This in turn allows you to figure out what is efficient and what isn't or what works and what doesn't.
I have a bunch of stuff to review including Dan John's new book and also Steve Cotter's book/DVD. I have been really busy. Between work and teaching I am getting behind on stuff. It's ok. Idle hands do the devil's work as they say...
Nice colors! Very rejuvenating bright yellow.
I see a circular indention at the "logo center" of the bell. Has there been a logo in that place?
I had a surprise yesterday, when I learnt that the small logo of a non-brand comp bell was 100% bondo, 1 cm deep.
I also welded a bottom-plate yesterday. Scary as the lead can form gas at those temperatures. Kept my breath, welded, went away and breathed, repeated. Does your Father's invention has a way around this? (If it is possible to state before I have taken the melting cert?)
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Yep there was a logo and just like yours it was made of bondo. In contrast to the perform better bells, this does not appear to be made from the exact same mold as the AKC bells. On the perform better bells the actual AKC name and stuff was found under the bondo.
I never had a problem with lead gas. The plate sits on top of the bell completely covering the hole. All the weld goes steel on steel. The invention allows the bell to sit flat, bottoms up. Definitely keep the lead away from the weld.
Thanks,
Scott
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Interesting, I ordered this bell from Germany and it is also slightly different from the ones that I think/heard are from the AKC mold (available as harjouttelu.net bells here). The coolest thing would be to fit in a round steel plate with one's own logo.
Covering the entire bottom is probably smarter and more solid. I cut out a piece of steel plate that fits into the cut out I did in the bells. When I weld there is a risk that molten weld residue drops down on the lead inside before it is completely sealed. Yet, I am not in the situation that I need to fill the bells entirely with lead
Thanks the same!
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Did you fill that with the leftover cupcakes from Saturday?
And where's that rope footage?
PS- I'm a legit subscriber now, no longer just an RFP stalker.
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Yeah I did. Some of them were chocolate so that is why I only got it to 57kg.
I'll put the rope stuff up one of these days. I think I can top it though, maybe with a 16kg bell.
It was fun having you guys around!
Scott
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Like your paints a lot, Scott.
The same bondo-filled circlular hole is present on my pair of 20kg Perform Better/AKC rip-offs. The hole was covered with the PB logo, but once I began stripping the bell, I cleared the logo and bondo out, leaving the hole. The AKC logo was on the other side of the bell. An attempt to obfuscate the WKC logo on the side with the hole can clearly be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56708643@N00/3394576146/
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Yeah I remember seeing this on IGX and I half expected to find the same thing on this one.
Scott
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