Ansonia Bim Bam rod repair or replacement

[LarryAC]

I'm restoring an older Ansonia mantle clock that has what I think it called a bim bam gong. The problem is one of the rods was broken at the constriction of the rod inside the metal anchor. I had to drill out the broken piece. The remaining length of rod slides through the hole in the anchor (I did not rill out the hole) but I don't see any easy way to peen the end to hold it in place, and as far as I can tell, peening the one end would not keep it from sliding out through the peened end. I also can't figure out why there is a constriction on the rod within the anchor - there's no set screw or any obvious way to use that constriction, so I presume it has to do with resonance of the rod when struck.

Can these rods be replaced? I can find entire bim bam gong sets on "the bay" but no one seems to sell replacement rods. Timesavers offers rods (that are too short anyway) but that have screw fitting on the end. Shojld I plan on finding an entire bim bam gong of the correct legnth?

 

[wow]

You cannot use the old rod unless you tune both rods. The interval of the two bim bam rods is supposed to be a minor third. The only way to use that broken rod is to flatten one end and press it in. It will then need tuning so the two are the the right interval.

 

[Willie X]

Yes, they can be "replaced", although you may have lowered your chances by drilling it out.

You will have to copy the necked down portion, using a lathe, grinder, file. Then slightly flatten the tip with a hammer on an anvil. The flattened part should be more at the tip and down to nothing at about 3/8".

Slide the prepared rod into the hole and tap it into place. The old one could have appeared to be peened but peening is not necessary. The rod is held in place by the slight taper.

Now you will have to shorten the unbroken rod to make the correct sound. Same interval as a classic doorbell. It doesn't matter about what notes you have, it's all about the musical interval between the two rods. A person with a musical background can probably help you tune it.

Oops, way behind 'wow'.

Willie X

 

[LarryAC]

Thanks for the advice. I didn't drill out the anchor piece. I just drilled down into the brass rod, so the hole should be fine.

I play guitar and bass and have a bunch of tuners, so I'm pretty sure I'll be able to dial in a minor third.

Off to hand file the constriction on the rod. I really need to get a lathe!

 

[shutterbug]

If it's easier, think 'door bell' sound