The ideal setting for the springs is one that enables the ringer to carefully handle the bell without its ringing accidentally, yet permits the bell to be rung with a light touch for soft musical passages.
An initial mistake made by inexperienced ringers is to adjust the restraining springs for excessive restraint in order to hold the clapper further from the side of the bell and to avoid accidental strikes which occur from incorrect arm and wrist motion. The resulting greater spacing between the clapper and the bell then requires more force and effort to ring. Excessive clapper restraint not only makes practice and ringing a tiresome effort, but it also places unnecessary strain on the restraining springs and the handle leading to premature breakdown. In addition, the ability to achieve dynamic musical expression in reduced or eliminated in attempting to overcome the excessive spacing between the clapper and the bell.
Note that Malmark bell handles include a bell-like logo on one side near the handguard. This identifies the front of the handbell and how the bells should be held and rung in relation to restraining spring setting.
With the bell-like logo facing you, the forwards strike clapper spacing should be as small as possible - never more the 3/8" from the front surface of the bell. For inexperienced ringers, the clapper spacing on the return stroke side may be made slightly larger to prevent accidental back rings. Again, we recommend referring to the Joyfully Ring manual for proper technique in holding and ringing your handbells.
The means of adjusting the tension on either spring in a bell to a different degree of restraint is a distinct advantage when ringing Four-In-Hand. By increasing the restraint on the return stroke spring, the possibility of accidental back ring is reduced or eliminated. The same means can be used in helping to eliminate unintentional double strike or back ring with the usual technique of bellringing. Just make certain that the bells are always held with the logo facing the ringer so that the spring adjusted for added restraint is on the return side of the clapper. Your bells were adjusted in this way when you received them from our plant, but a finer adjustment may be necessary.
Please note that the restraining spring is made os a space-age elastomeric material which will not break under years of constant use.
Because of this you should never have to replace springs under normal usage, but should the need ever arise, it can be done simply by turning the restraining spring adjusting screw counterclockwise until it comes out of the block. Insert a new piece of spring material and replace the screw. It is usually not necessary to disassemble the bell or any of its parts to replace the spring.
As with all bearings, in time, wear will develop from use causing objectionable looseness and noise. In all other makes of bells, repair and replacement of bearings and axle pivot shafts becomes a major undertaking for a skilled person; however, in the Malmark bell, the exclusive design provides for quick and instant re-adjustment. Adjustment can be simlpy made by removing the clapper assemble from the bell, inserting the end of the appropriate hex key wrench into the recessed socket in the head of one or both screws (Figure 1A) and turning the screw(s) in (clockwise) a fraction of a turn. Note: should you lose or misplace the wrench provided, it is available in any hardware store.
The screws will offer some resistance to turning as the threads into which the couple in the bearing screw block are mechanically upset to effect friction. Do NOT remove and re-insert the screws unnecessarily as too frequent removal and insertion can reduce the locking effect.
No oiling of the bearing screws is required as the screws are of stainless steel and should pivot freely, if not overtightened, in the holes of the nylon yoke.
WITH NEW BELLS, SOME BEARING TO YOKE LOOSENESS MAY DEVELOP in the "break-in" period requiring some initial adjustment to compensate for the "wear-in" of the high spots; no further adjustment should be necessary except after long periods of use.