Improvements to the Carillon

     **********

New springs in five thicknesses; tails for single, double, and triple banks of springs.

 

Before - After

    

Bell No. 36 (e above middle c). This bell required springs in both directions to get proper responsiveness.

    

Looking at the transmission of Bell #48 (low E) and #36 (front)

    

Counterweight for Bourdon (#51) now replaced by bank of springs.

    

Notice that where possible, springs are positioned so that they keep the horizontal transmission wire taut and still.

    

Transmission to the mid-range bells (second octave), with counterweights (before), and now (with some spring assemblies visible).

    

Bell #34 - note added back tension spring and framework in the "after" photo.

 

 

Hard at Work

    

Andrew Mills cutting off a counterweight arm; Peter Hayward with his drawings.

    

Magnetic-based drill, for quick drilling through frame for mounting brackets.

    

Framework for spring carriers; Peter Hayward (left) and Andrew Mills mounting the framework and spring for Bell #50.

 

Improvements to the carillon have been ongoing. In fall 2004, the original "scissors" pedal springs, which offered undue resistance to the player (and often tended to bind) were replaced with new stainless steel "clock springs," with far better results. In 2008, the turnbuckles for adjusting wire lengths and their connections to the keys were replaced with new, much quieter units. 

New Pedal Springs, Fall 2004

    

Original (brass) turnbuckles and their replacements, Fall 2008

    

Old (and by then noisy) metallic turnbuckle-key connections and the new connections,

a rugged, self-lubricating plastic.

 

Counterweights on lower two octaves were all replaced with spring balancing. Above are before and after photo pairs.

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This Page was created and is maintained by: John Gouwens. Last update: 07/5/2010