Refurbishment schedule

[gj berg]

Had to call manufacturer (cracked bell) and found out that the set of bells I oversee was last refurbished (officially) 20 years ago.

How often should the bells be refurbished?

How much does it cost (budgeting)?  (3 octaves Schulmerich, outer 2 Malmarks, plus 5 octaves Malmark chimes)

--
gj berg
Go SHARKS!!!

[David Engle]

I have set an 8-10 year referb budgeting plan in effect for our 4 octaves (Schulmerich).  When we had them factory refurbished in 2008 (first time since they were purchased in early 80's) the cost was around $4700+.  I have budgeted $500.00 each year since 2008 to go into a designated maintenance fund for future refurbishments.

Schedule: - based on church choir usage 4 rehearsals and 1 Sunday ring for 9 months + 1 concert and 1 festival each year.  I am scheduling our bells for 8 - 10 years (when I accumulate $4000+ in the maintenance fund.)

David in Virginia

--
Post: handb...@googlegroups.com
Subscribe: handbell-l...@googlegroups.com
Unsubscribe: handbell-l+...@googlegroups.com
Digest: e-mail mdp...@gmail.com with subject line "Digest-L"

[Ann Frederking]

If the bells are used less often - 1 weekly rehearsal and playing about once a month (usually), should they still be refurbished as often?
I guess ours are due. The original 3 octaves was purchased in 1979 and had their one and only refurbishment about a decade ago.
The lower fourth octave has never been refurbished - was acquired in 2000 and 2001. The upper 4th - 2001 and the upper 5th not until 2007 and 2008. Our two low bells  - the F3 dates from 2003 and the C3, we bought used last year and don't know.

However, we do a take-apart polishing once a year and check them carefully for broken springs and cracked handles and we've sent a few bells back to the factory when they've sounded funny. Generally the casting is replaced.

Since the church just did a major rebuild of the Christian Education wing (2.2 million $ which escalated to 2.8 million $ due to unforeseen problems), I believe I would have a very difficult time arguing to have the bells refurbished in the foreseeable future though I do mention occasionally that the time is getting close.

I envy those who can save money each year for such a project. My budget disappears if I don't use it and it's not all that high anyway. And with all the renovation debt, it's easy to guess where it might go.

Ann

-- 
**************************************************
Family web site: http://clients.teksavvy.com/~frederking/
Ann's hostas - about 170 varieties:
http://violaann.smugmug.com/Garden/Hostas-in-my-garden-A-B/7617361_qL3gHS
Ottawa Chamber Orchestra - http://www.ottawachamberorchestra.com/
Emmanubells Handbell Team - http://www.emmanuelunited.ca/worship_renewal/bells.php
**************************************************

[Silver Woodbury]

As a general rule, Schulmerich recommends a refurbishment every 10 years.  Of course, the more use they get, the more often they will need serviced.  Schulmerich posts their factory service pricing on the website.  Many Schulmerich reps (myself included) also offer refurbishment services in our respective territories.  There are others out there as well.  As with anything, buyer beware.  I have reworked bells refurbished by a couple of itinerant bell fixers.  Just ask a lot of questions.  Do they re-use parts?  Exactly what does their service include (are all of the working parts (springs, etc.) replaced, are power tools used to disassemble and reassemble the bells, are they hand or machine polished))?  Do they require that you ship the bells to them?   If they say they can do a 5 octave refurbishment at your church in 1 hour, all you will probably get is a quick polishing.

 

If you aren’t sure how long it’s been since your bells were serviced, your Schulmerich rep will have a record of any past factory work.   If you have had 3 or more springs break in a 1-2 month span, then it’s probably time to consider a refurbishment!  Some reps also offer a preventative maintenance service where they will check your set every year and replace any worn or broken parts.  No matter what type of bells you have, please contact your representatives and let us help you.

 

Thanks!

Silver

Mrs. Silver D. Woodbury
Silverbell Enterprises
Regional Independent Sales Representative for Schulmerich Bells
Oklahoma - Kansas - Arkansas - Northern Texas
Authorized Dealer for Murphy Robes in Oklahoma
10012 Carnie Circle, Yukon, OK  73099
405-519-0331 mobile
888-735-5407 toll-free voice and fax
silve...@cox.net or SWoo...@SchulmerichBells.com

---

--

[Karen]

David,

You are doing what I want to do but my budget gets cut every year! I think that is brilliant to accrue monies every year for maintenance on instruments. How many churches or schools have instrument maintenance in their budgets for organs and pianos but don't ever consider their valuable set of handbells or chimes?

 

As for schedule, the 10 year rule is a good general rule IMO but it depends on usage and care. If you are diligent about wiping down bells after every rehearsal, polishing at least once a year and checking screws for looseness then you are going a long way toward avoiding an early need for refurbishment and perhaps delaying the need beyond 10 years.

 

I tell my customers that if they have stains on the castings regular polishing won't remove, mechanical problems that aren't resolved with regular maintenance or bells that seem to stick out - it's time for a factory refurbishment. And, while I am happy to do maintenance on customer's bells and do the take apart, polish inside/outside and inspect for them  - I do not call what I do a refurbishment as only the factory has the skill to do a real refurbishment.

 

As always, the best source of information on refurbishment (or anything else about your bells/chimes) is your instrument manufacturer. They are happy to answer questions so give them a call or an email! (blatant company promo: I don't know about the other manufacturers but Malmark has some specials going related to refurbishments, the Add-On special ends May 31 and the refurb discount will be going this fall. Ask your rep or Malmark for details.)

 

Happy ringing!

Karen Eastburn

Malmark rep for Area 9 - TX/OK

Plano, TX

On Tuesday, May 22, 2012 9:47:33 PM UTC-5, David Engle wrote:

I have set an 8-10 year referb budgeting plan in effect for our 4 octaves (Schulmerich).  When we had them factory refurbished in 2008 (first time since they were purchased in early 80's) the cost was around $4700+.  I have budgeted $500.00 each year since 2008 to go into a designated maintenance fund for future refurbishments.

Schedule: - based on church choir usage 4 rehearsals and 1 Sunday ring for 9 months + 1 concert and 1 festival each year.  I am scheduling our bells for 8 - 10 years (when I accumulate $4000+ in the maintenance fund.)

 

 

David in Virginia

On 5/22/2012 10:12 PM, gj berg wrote:

Had to call manufacturer (cracked bell) and found out that the set of bells I oversee was last refurbished (officially) 20 years ago.

How often should the bells be refurbished?

How much does it cost (budgeting)?  (3 octaves Schulmerich, outer 2 Malmarks, plus 5 octaves Malmark chimes)

--
gj berg
Go SHARKS!!!
--
Post: handb...@googlegroups.com

Subscribe: handbell-l+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Unsubscribe: handbell-l+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

[Nancy Kirkner]

Just a reminder that Christine Anderson does refurbishments and will
come to you, so you don't have to ship the bells and/or wait to get
them back. I believe her prices (including travel) are competitive
with the factory, though you have to obtain all the parts ahead of
time. As an added bonus, if you let others in your area know she's
coming, it might be possible to schedule a concert or workshop with
her, and/or share her travels costs with another group looking for
bell refurbishment.

Best -

Nancy Kirkner, Seattle
Still grateful that Christine flew here to work with me on solos
several years ago
www.solobells.com

[BellB...@aol.com]

Bell Buggy Express also does refurbishments on both Schulies and Malmarks.

 

--
Post: handb...@googlegroups.com
Subscribe: handbell-l...@googlegroups.com
Unsubscribe: handbell-l+...@googlegroups.com

[blanch...@cfl.rr.com]

I also do refurbishments on both Schulmerichs & MalMarks. Have tools - will travel.
Blanche Marie Lewis
(located in central Florida)