Step 1
Slide the T connector onto the crossbar to center it between the marks. Hand tighten the T connector’s two top knobs as much as possible without using a tool.
(Depending on your storage arrangement, you may decide you do not need to remove the T connector from the crossbar. It may be sufficient to simply loosen the T connector’s lower knob and lift the crossbar off the top tube segment of the stand.)
Step 2
Assure the top segment of the stand upright protrudes above the top locking collar and knob. If the top segment has fallen inside the upright tube, temporarily loosen the knob and gently invert the stand to allow gravity to release the top tube from the upright tube. When disassembling, take care to leave enough of the top tube segment protruding while tightening the knob. This will ease your next setup.)Step 3
Open the legs such that the base is wider than the length of the crossbar. Securely tighten the knob on the lock collar.
Ideally, open the legs as wide as possible for your normal performance and rehearsal space.
For one-sided use with a single musician, direct one leg away from the performer. For two-sided use with two musicians, direct one leg at a 90-degree angle to the crossbar.
Step 4
Notice that varying the width of the legs slightly alters the height of the overall bell tree.
To improve consistency of your setup, consider placing a mark on the upright tube indicating the level of the lock collar which sets the legs at your desired width. A paint pen or silver-color permanent marker works well. You may wish to wait to do this after you have rehearsed with your bell tree stand and refined your setup.
Step 5
Loosen the top knob and raise the top tube to the height you wish the your bell tree to reach. If it is comfortable for your performance, try to select a height that aligns a safety pin hole at the top of the locking collar.
Tighten the collar. To avoid accidental collapse, insert the safety pin through the hole closest to the top of the locking collar.
(Loosening the lower knob will allow a middle tube to be extended which is generally not necessary. We recommend keeping the middle tube retracted with the lower knob tightened at all times.)
Step 6
Whenever possible, use the angle brace. First, slide one of the brace’s collars over one side of the crossbar, leaving the knob loose. Then, lower the opposite end of the angle brace over the top tube, also leaving the knob loose.
Place the crossbar onto the top tube and tighten the knobs on the T connector.
Adjust the angle brace so that it forms a 45-degree angle and tighten the knob on the crossbar. Gently pull down on the lower end of the angle brace and tighten its knob to secure the crossbar. This downward pull acts as a counterbalance when hanging handbells on only one side of the crossbar.