On Thursday morning, the first task was to sort out a modified plate for the treble eastern bearing. With Dale’s expertise and facilities, the part appeared at lunch break.
Meanwhile, aloft, the tower-wide south-side frame brace was refitted to the new bottom angle which replaces the severely corroded original.
The two halves of the bell 2 wheel (timber) were mated and bolted to the headstock (red) followed by the crown staple and clapper assembly.
The wheel stay angle braces were brought up from the clock room paint-shop and two were bolted to each wheel.
The modified bearing parts for the treble were soon fitted and the bell hoisted from its temporary resting place on to its bearings.
The diagonal bracing bars beneath the frame had to be re-fitted.
The first bell chosen to be completed for ringing was the treble. A major critical adjustment is for the clapper to lie exactly in the middle of the bell. ‘Twiddle pins’ are built into the headstock so that the crown staple shaft can be moved by a small amount to get this dead-on.
Then the new bracket acting as the slider hinge pin had to be measured out and bolt holes drilled in the frame, followed by the slider running board on the opposite site of the bell pit. These latter were clamped until all had been tested out before holes were drilled. The timber stay had to be measured and drilled so that it would engage with the slider bar to enable us to leave the bell stopped mouth upwards.
On the left under the bottom of the wheel is the slider pin bracket (green), the timber slider is hinged on the pin and is carefully steam bent to pass under the clapper and on the right sits on the running board with the slot. The slider is moved along by the stay tapping it as it rotates. The stop this end leaves the bell “stood at handstroke” and at the far end “stood at backstroke”!
The treble was not being helpful and several adjustments to the wheel braces, bearing blocks and running board mountings were needed, taking four hours with Neil leaving at 8pm.
It is now certain that the flapping boards will not get fitted before the weekend, but that doesn’t stop us ringing the bells. So fingers are crossed for Sunday ringing. But the chime hammer solenoids have to be remounted and checked which means that another specialist will be needed, so it seems the clock may not chime for more days yet.