DIY Bell Ring
I had a couple of fellow tubists recommend that I could make my own bell ring with a length of clear plastic tubing.
I took them to their word, and did some research. I ended up buying a 10 foot length of 1/4 inch internal diameter by 3/8 inch outside diameter clear plastic tubing at Rona (Lowes to my American readers) for about $7 CAD.
The bell of my Eb tuba was exactly 15 inches in diameter. The circumference then was 15 x 3.14 = 47.1 inches. I carefully measured the bell diameter, and did the math several times.
I also bought a 4 foot length of 1/4 inch wooden dowel. I measured and marked 49 (2 extra inches) inches on the tubing by placing it along the dowel, holding it in place on the dowel with a couple of small carpentry clamps.
I carefully but firmly inserted the wooden dowel into the end of the tubing, and pressed it in as far as I could comfortably get it.
I inserted that end into the top of my 4 inch table vise so that about a quarter of the width of the tubing stuck up above the top of the vise. I was careful not to tighten device too tightly, so that the tubing didn't bulge above the top of the dowel. I placed it so that the far end of the dowel and the coil of tubing was in the opposite side of the vise from me, and the short end where the dowel was inserted into the tubing was on the end closest to me. That way I could carefully and precisely draw the knife towards me rather than pushing it away from me.
With a brand new sharp blade in an “X-Acto” knife, I carefully and slowly drew down the length of the 4 inch vise past the opening of the end of the tubing. I was then able to thread the tubing another 4 or so inches over the dowel. I repeated this, being careful to align the now incised tubing to be perfectly straight and parallel with the sides of the dowel. I found it useful to press hard enough that I could cut through the tubing along the 4 inch length each time with one slow and deliberate cut. This prevented cuts from going off line. In addition, I noted that I was at times able to follow a line that became visible along the dowel from cutting it with the blade.
Repeat, and repeat. In retrospect, I wondered if I may have been able to make the threading process a little easier if I were to apply a bit of soapy water to the dowel, but I was concerned that the dowel may swell with the water or get even more sticky. After the first 12 to 14 inches of cut tubing, I found it useful to carefully lift the cut tubing off of the dowel. That made it easier to insert the dowel each time. At some point, I found that I simply could not insert the dowel any further into the tubing. At this point, I was able to push fairly hard on the tubing towards the cut end. This caused the tubing to buckle up, but if I pulled gently on the cut end and pushed on the uncut end, it would flatten nicely, and I could gain an inch or so each time. This is just like threading a cord through a channel - sort of milking it along. Eventually, I reached the 49 inch mark that I put on the tubing.
When I got to the three times measured 49 inch mark, I carefully made a perpendicular cut with the knife.
I took the tubing to the tuba and set the tuba upright in its bottom bow guard. It was easy to press the tubing onto the bell ring. When I finished, I had slightly less than 2 inches of excess tubing. I placed it in the correct spot several times, observing and marking the spot where the two ends met, lifted the free end up, and carefully cut it with my knife.
It took a bit of manipulation to get the tubing equally and neatly placed along the bell ring.
When I finished, I took my tuba up to a wooden floor and set it down on the bell. The results were pleasing. The tubing is naturally a bit sticky to the touch, and this prevented the tuba from sliding along the floor. I repeated this process on a tile floor with equally good results.
I hope readers find this useful if they decide to take the DIY approach to a bell ring.