<html> At 09:24 PM 9/7/02 +0200, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>jolly roger wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Hi Ric,              It's a tension bar, help prevent the two struts pulling apart.  The beams under the board also have tension struts.  That's those thinner slats that go cross ways. Regards Roger    </blockquote></blockquote> Hi Ric,             You got me, on the Bell 'thingee', I have heard it called a treble resonator, or just the bell.  Yet I have never heard a real satisfactory explanation of what is going on. On the tension bar thing.   A general rule of thumb;  If the bar is thin, it is usually associated with tension problems, if it is thick, then it is usually associated with compression. Not always true, but it helps to change your mind set of where the forces are heading.  My feelings about both the tensioning rods, is that it was an after thought, to the original design. It being the most expedient method of giving some insurance to strength and stability.  I have taken them off many times to work on, or replace the dampers at the break, with no disasters. Regards Roger <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Thanks Roger... btw... what is the proper and most correct name for the "bell" that couples the rim to the plate up in the treble section ? And thanks all you others for the good words of advice and caution. Cheers -- Richard Brekne RPT, N.P.T.F. UiB, Bergen, Norway <a href="mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no">mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no</a> <a href="http://home.broadpark.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html" eudora="autourl">http://home.broadpark.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html</a>   </blockquote> <x-sigsep></x-sigsep> Roger</html>