"Bells" Construction

            To make the exhibit, we needed a 15” square sheet of steel bolted to a long wooded post to resist rotation.  We also needed a circular aluminum sheet 15” in diameter, a removable tray to catch screened sand.  This is all attached to a rectangular contraption constructed of wood.  The diagram on the sign and end of this report shows all of this.  However, the plates, the bow, and sand are the most essential parts.  The plates should only be supported in the center to allow vibration and stability.  Also, the edges had to be somewhat dull so it wouldn’t slice the bow strings.  However, if it was too dull, it would cut down on the high vibrations and in turn the better formations.  For the bow, we used a jigsaw frame, without the blade, and tied fishing line tightly for strings.  To preserve the strings, some suggest rubbing the bow in rosin boiled with beeswax.  This should also improve sound quality.  However, this is not always necessary.  The sand is the third issue.  It can often be quite a mess, so a tray-shaped box with collecting tray is probably the best method.  Sand should not be too large and rough, or it will not form formations well.  Also, it can’t be too fine, or it’s just a mess.

            If you were to make this project, exact measurements are not too important, besides the size of metal plates.  As for the collecting tray, use your own good judgment for size and design.  An example of the project lies on the next page.