First, the raw casting is turned on the outside to a precisely predetermined profile or shape. To insure that the exact proper profile is maintained, the cutting tool is controlled by a stylus following a template. Next, turning the bell on the inside is where the tuning takes place. Tuning a handbell requires knowledge, skill, and experience. The ability to guide the cutting tool to bring the partials of the bell into exact alignment and pitch is the mark of a true bellcraftsman.
Allowance is made for polishing and final tuning.
The exactness required in a finely tuned bell is achieved by the polishing process. The other parts of the handbell, the handle, handguard, clapper, and yoke mechanism have been carefully crafted and made ready for assembly to produce a complete handbell. Then, the assembled handbell goes through an indexing procedure to determine that point on the casting which produces the best tonal response. The bell is scribed at that point and the casting is secured in that position. This is followed by a complete musical and mechanical inspection of each bell before being combined with other bells into matched sets.