I must not have had my Wheaties this morning, as I received a Tel's Bels from the big auction today, and my fingers aren't strong enough to work the gimmick.
I heard the older ones sometimes got too loose but that won't be a problem with this puppy.
Anyone have any suggestions? Other than start working out?
Thanks
Jef

Afraid I can't help. Mine has never been too hard to push. It has loosened on two occasions. Then one simply has to drop a dab of super-glue on the threads before retightening. Perhaps you may need to adjust your grip when ringing the bell. Try holding it closer to the gimmick, so that your thumb is slightly bent. Then the strength of your thumb should be sufficient to push it forward. If that doesn’t work, you may have a defective bell.

I can hardly move the gimmick with both hands. Who built this, the Incredible Hulk?

Definitely a defective bell. Even when new, movement should take a minimum of strength,

Mine's pretty tough to set as well. Not as difficult as yours sounds, Jef, but it's a pretty strong tension. My thumb gets sore after a couple go-rounds. I figured if I practiced with it for a few weeks, I'd build up strength. That's how I learned to blow up 260s anyway.... Obviously, I haven't plugged it into a routine yet, so haven't done much "training."

Jef, I am one of those that has the problem with the looseness. Still, the mechanism is not easy to push. I had mine apart years ago, and to be truthful I cannot really remember how it made. Obviously there is some sort of spring, or something that causes the tension. You may be able to loosen it some, but you will have to take it apart.

It could also be the threaded rod, or screw running through the hole. If the screw is too large and/or bent, or if the hole is too small and/or not bored true then I imagine it might make it tight.

Again, I can't really remember how it is made. I am just going from my memory, and that is not a very good source!

I would advice you to be extremely cautious if you decide to make any adjustments on yours. As I said, too tight is not my problem so I don't know if the same applies, but there is a very fine line between just right and too loose, so be careful!

It could be that you got one that has been repaired, reworked or something, who knows. It's hard to imagine one being as tight as you describe without something going wrong after the fact.

Good luck! I am very curious to see what the problem is, so keep us posted!

With my bell you just have to twist the handle a little to loosen off to make pushing easier or twist opposite way to re tighten.
Den

Jef. Ive had 6 Tells Bells now and the first was Terry's Lecture bell. You can alter the strength of them but you have to take them apart and unscrew the nut.
But if you cant push the gimmick then actually push the bell part forward it will work just as well.
If you try and have trouble just ask and I will talk you through it.

Jef, I don't own it, but a friend of mine owns one. His bell also is extremely tough to set -- I needed two hands to do it. So you are not alone my friend....

Thanks to all the guys who gave ideas. I think I have the problem solved. I now just have my wife do the sound effect with the bell and I never use the gimmick. LOL
No really, I played with it, messed around with the nut, and Jimbo's trick will work fine.
I am off to do the summer tour and already broke the leaf springs on our trailer and left it at an RV place 500 miles from the fair. Fortunately, I left a week early to see our grandson so they can get it fixed and I will pick it up Friday and go to work then. Luckily the good Lord was watchin' out for us and it happened 3 blocks from an RV dealer. Life on the road....whew!
Again, thanks guys for all the help.
Jef

Anyone know if Terry Herbert will fix a tels bell. I used to utilize it years ago in my show when I attempted to take it apart because it was practically ringing by its self. I have to dig it out of my closet but I loved it. Any suggestions ?