Historical differences between long-standing bell foundries?

[Matthew]

The manufacturing of church bells is really a fascinating process.  It's certainly lower tech than I would have imagined.

I wonder for example how the how the "outer bell mold" (a "cope" in my world) are made?  They appear to be spun but I don't know for sure.  They can't be hog-outs can they?  I wonder who produces them?

The amount of labor that goes into each bell is remarkable.  I wonder why more progressive casting techniques have not been employed?

A very, very fascinating subject...