Requirements
Survey form
Measuring tools
- Tape measure or carpenter's rule
- Straight edge as long as diameter of the bell's mouth
Laser measuring devices are useful if you are familiar with how to use them in tight places.
Definitions
Parts of a bell
Head
Shoulder
Waist
Mouth
Clapper or hammer
It is difficult to achieve good results when using an inside clapper on some American bells because they are wide mouthed with a narrow waist.
Strike point
This is the sweet spot that we want the clapper or hammer to impact the bell. This is always the thickest part of the bell near the bottom. Hammers strike on the outside of the bell, and should be able to impact the bell without striking on any decorations. Clappers will strike on the inside of the bell.
For replacement equipment, you can usually see the spot on the bell that the existing clapper has been striking. Use a sharpie pen to put a cross hair in the middle of this spot to make all measurements to the strike point.