Musical clock bells

[Andrew Dunn 3Participant @andrewdunn3]

Hi all, can anybody help? I have a book describing how to make a musical clock movement. It all looks within my sphere of ability except the many bells required. I don’t seem to be able to find anywhere to purchase these or any information regarding manufacture and tuning of bells for the amateur horologist. Does anybody have any information or can you point me in the right direction. It’s a shame but if I can’t solve the problem there is no point in even starting.

Andy.

[Peter Cook 6Participant @petercook6]

Look for hand bells – or hand bell manufacturers. Depending on the quality and number you want a cheap set of children’s bells will be about £40 from Ebay. On up the sky’s the limit.

https://www.bellsofwhitechapel.london/clock-bells/ will make tuned sets of clock bells to order according to their website.

Cousins the clock parts suppliers do bells in various sizes, but I don’t know about the tuning. Real bell tuning is an art, but you may need a big machine depending on the size of the bell.

 

You could also peruse Ebay or your local auction house for an old musical clock and  scavenge the bells off that.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Andrew

 

Have a look at this page: https://www.ahsoc.org/events/regional-sections/northern/meeting-reports-2018/

There are a few pictures of a musical clock that Jim Arnfield restored.

… Is that the sort of thing you are looking for ?

If so, I might be able to find some references for you.

 

MichaelG.

[speelwerkParticipant @speelwerk]

Perhaps this article will help, Niko.

https://www.mbsgb.org.uk/TMB/V27_B1.pdf#page=5

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

I have a wall clock that just uses steel rods that are hit with a hammer – drives you crazy in the end !

 

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Taylors of Loughborough for bells but not cheap. Clocks also use rods or coils to make the rings. A good clock could be ruined by a cheap ring. Noel.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Are you referring to the Claude B Reeve musical clock? Maybe look back to the copies of ME about when it was published in ’56 to see the suppliers. I do remember sets being available about 30 years ago from ME suppliers.

[Dick HParticipant @dickh]

Have a look at Cousins UK https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/bells-stands-hammers.

No connection just remembered from browsing their catalog.

[Kiwi BlokeParticipant @kiwibloke62605]

Tubular bells are an easy option, but don’t look quite the same…

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