There need be no reluctance in disassembling your handbells. They have been designed so that you, the customer, can do repair work that will have no effect on the precision tuning of the bells.
For Quick-Adjust clappers (also when replacing metal springs with elastothane springs).
STICKING CLAPPER SHAFTS
This is a problem you may encounter which is very easy to fix. Take a thin bladed long shaft screwdriver and place it between the shaft block and the yoke channel and give it a twist. Do this on both sides of the bell. Soon you will find the bell ringing freely again. This works in 98% of all cases, especially if remedied early, before the yoke really binds up. This is an easy fix which does not require bell disassembly.
If this does not loosen up the yoke enough, then you will have to disassemble the bell and remove the shaft assembly from the yoke block as described above. Then spread the yoke channel.
Do not oil your shaft assembly. The nylon bearing does not require lubrication and oil tends to attract and hold dirt, causing binding problems.
LOOSE CLAPPER SHAFTS
Loose or wobbly shafts can be detected by a rattling sound heard when the bell is struck. If you can hear a rattle and feel excessive side to side movement, you can take the following steps to correct it. (Remember that there must be some side to side movement to permit the bell to strike.)
Remove the yoke assembly from the bell by loosening the cap screw. Place the yoke block on its side over an open vise or hole in a block of wood and, using a drift pin and a hammer, tap around the axle. Do this on both sides and check often so as not to get the yoke too tight. This will tighten the channel. Now reassemble the bell and you are ready to ring.
BUZZING TONE
This sometimes occurs in the larger bells. After determining that the bell is not cracked, ring the bell and hold the handguard firmly with your thumb. In most cases you will note the buzz is gone. If this is not the case, simply retighten the cap screw. If, after tightening the screw, the noise still persists when you remove your thumb from the handguard, loosen the handle to the point where the handguard easily spins. Move handguard slightly to one side and retighten the screw. This should correct the problem.
POLISHING THE BELLS
Polishing is necessary especially after exposure to a corrosive atmosphere such as salt air, etc., or having something spilled on the bells.
Always make sure to polish under the handguard, but be careful to wipe away all polish residue. On the smaller bells this will require disassembly of the bell. If this is not done, the bells will continue to tarnish. If let go, the tarnish will actually etch the bronze. If anything is spilled on the bells, clean it off immediately as bronze is easily etched.
We recommend the use of "SIMICHROME©" Polish, which can be purchased directly from Schulmerich.
Occasionally clean the inside of your bells with a clean, dry cloth.
We hope the above will aid you and help you further enjoy your Schulmerich handbells. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us at any time; we will be glad to help you.
INFORMATION OF INTEREST
Caution should be exercised when transporting handbells in extremely cold weather. Sufficient time to permit all parts to reach room temperature should be allowed before the bells are struck.