If disassembly of a bell is necessary or desired for some reason, the hex ball driver furnished is the only tool needed. A look at the bell diagram, shows that the entire bell assembly is held together by means of one cap screw through the handle block, through the top of the bell, and then into a threaded hole in the yoke. Disassembly is performed by engaging the end of the hex key wrench into the socket of the cap screw above the handle block and turning the screw counter-clockwise until its threads are free of the threaded hole in the yoke.
To reassemble (see the bell diagram), replace the parts in the order illustrated in the diagram. Place the disc on top of the bell. Insert the cap screw with the washer beneath its head, through the center hole in the handle block and through the top of the bell - at the same time orienting the handle so that the small hole (off center in the handle block) is engaged with the protrusion of the index pin extending above the tang of the bell. Holding the bell mouth side up, place the spacer bushing over the extension of the cap screw and, holding the yoke assembly by its shaft, turn the assembly clockwise, thereby drawing the screw extension into the threaded hole in the yoke. With these parts engaged, align the hole in the yoke with the extension of the index pin beyond the inside of the bell - push the parts together so that the yoke and handle are indexed by the pin and complete the tightening of the cap screw until it is drawn snug. Note: overtightening of the cap screw may (especially in the higher range of bells) result in a deadening of the bell tone - hence, draw the screw up snug, but not so tight as to deaden the tone.
The clapper shaft in a Schulmerich bell is free to move on nylon bearings and requires no periodic oiling or lubrication.
Should the plastic handle become gummy from dirt accumulation after a time, cleaning can be easily accomplished with a cloth moistened with a lukewarm solution of water and a mild detergent. The plastic material is unaffected by almost all strong chemicals and cleaning agents except benzene and carbon tetrachloride which will affect the plastic only after long contact with it - avoid their use.
In addition to the type of plastic used in the handle, your Schulmerich bell may use as many as four additional types. Different types of plastics are more or less susceptible to reaction with different types of chemicals and to different degrees. Many of today's better products include plastic parts and assemblies for the added advantages that plastics offer, and most reliable manufacturers caution against the use of various chemicals on their plastics. Schulmerich therefore recommends against the use of any chemicals either on its bell assemblies or in the storage container with the bells. In a closed container such as a carrying case, under certain conditions, a stored chemical can give off a gas which could react injuriously with one or more of the plastics. For example, the fumes given off by ordinary mothballs can have damaging effects on plastic. So, play it safe, and don't put chemicals into your bell storage cases and follow the Schulmerich instructions for cleaning.
No special care is needed for the ruggedly built Schulmerich bell carrying cases. The plush-lined, profiled recesses for the bells in each of the available cases provide excellent resistance against abrasion and wear. The tough, black leatherette covering bonded to the exteriors of the cases will stand considerable abuse. Scuff marks on the finish, resulting from rough handling, can be simply touched-up with an application of one of several black self-shining liquid shoe polishes on the market, such as "Scuff-Kote©".
