Installation Instructions for Spinners

Table of instrument dimensions

These instructions apply to the Soprano, Alto and Tenor Spinners. In the photo below you will see that the support pipes for the two spinners are in the same hole, side by side.  This is an effective arrangement for these instruments, allowing them both to be played by one person, or two or more players.  The instruments can also be installed separately.

The spinner support pipe is the pipe from which the spinner hangs. The tether anchor pipe is the smaller pipe to which the cables at the bottom of the spinner are attached. The spinner support pipe should be installed first.

Two 36 inch deep auger holes are required for this installation. They are 13 inches apart, on center.  Rebar stakes should be placed at the centers of the bottom of these holes, as with the Contrabass Chimes.

The spinner itself should not be unwrapped until the installation is complete.  For the installation of the support pipe, you will find it easiest to bind the spinner to the support pipe as this will concentrate its weight onto the support pipe and make vertical bracing simpler.  The pipe end should be fitted onto the rebar stake, the pipe braced vertically above ground level and the concrete poured.

I recommend allowing the support pipe concrete to cure before pouring the concrete to secure the tether anchor pipe.  This is so the tether can be given the proper small amount of slack which will allow the spinner to operate best.  This slack should not be much, perhaps ¼ inch of deflection in the tether would be best.  Even less will do.  The primary consideration is that the tether should not be taut between the pipe and the bottom of the spinner.

The spinner should be unbound from the support pipe to install the tether anchor pipe. It is not essential that the tether anchor pipe be exactly vertical.  What is important is that the top of the tether anchor pipe be plumb underneath the spinner bottom when the spinner is hanging free from the support pipe.  In other words, the tether should be vertical (but not quite taut) from the bottom of the spinner to the top of the tether anchor pipe when the installation is complete.

It will be necessary to brace the tether anchor pipe to prevent the tether from becoming taut during the concrete curing process.  The top of the tether anchor pipe will be only a few inches above ground level when installation is complete, if the spinner support pipe has been installed to a depth of thirty six inches.

If there are any questions about the above process, or any of the installation procedures, we can be reached by phone at 866-238-3520.