The world of clock repair faces a grave crisis (that is, besides the
obvious one, which is that clock practitioners all have one foot in
the grave already <kaff> <kaff> !)

Chiming clocks typically beat their hammers on 'chime rods'.  These
are steel rods, about 3.5 mm in diameter, that are supported at one
end in a cast-iron base by means of a brass fitting that screws into
the base.  To improve its sound the bar is necked down to a small
diameter about an inch from the fixed end.  The base is screwed to
the sounding board.

These bars tend to break, often when people try to adjust them or as
a result of other customer-induced trauma like grandchildren.  And,
as it happens, the last European manufacturer of these has gone the
way of the House of Hapsburg.  There are other sources -- presumably
India and maybe China -- but their products sound horrible.

Can anyone here think of a solution?  I've suggested that the bases
and brass mounts could be machined in, say, China, and the rods be
produced by a reliable wire mill here in the USA, but I have little
experience in the matter.

Please think about this, for without your help and support the world
could face a future without Westminster chimes clanging away in your
ear every fifteen minutes.

Mark Kinsler

 [ I believe the 'chime rod' is made from high carbon steel known as
 [ drill rod.  The thickness is reduced at the end that is fixed to the
 [ base so that the rod can vibrate at a lower frequency when struck
 [ (with similar effect as grinding away the center of a glockenspiel
 [ bar).  Talk with a machinist who makes precision steel parts such
 [ as hardened punches.  -- Robbie