MTFCA Forum

Hi folks
question.

I have a plunger type Hand Klaxon horn which has a badly rusted diaphragm but is otherwise in good shape. I don't know whether to make the new gaskets out of gasket paper or rubber, and am not sure if diaphragms from a motorized Klaxon will fit the old plunger types.

It is marked "The HAND KLAXON" -- Lowell-McConnell Mfg. Co, Newark, NJ with a serial number of 105680. The plunger is cast iron with "HAND KLAXON" cast into it in block letters, and it's at the top of the horn working on a set of iron gears inside.

Having never worked on one of these I promptly pulled it apart and found that the adjusting screw & nut on the diaphragm are badly rusted too.

Is this something I should just make parts for, or should I look for something aftermarket, or both? It is also without its mounting bracket & I don't have a Model-T yet either but it was cool and I've had it here for a year now. Decided to restore it.

Thanks

I'm definitely not an expert on hand Klaxons but from my experience, you're going to have to make a new diaphragm. Sounds like you've got one of the better hand Klaxons. There are several different diameter Klaxon horns both hand and electric. You could get lucky and find another horn the same diameter but good luck on that one. If you happen to find one of a larger diameter then you could cut it down to size. I make my gaskets out of paper or thin gasket material and they work fine.

Ed aka #4

YellowTRacer wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 30, 2025 5:07 pm

I'm definitely not an expert on hand Klaxons but from my experience, you're going to have to make a new diaphragm. Sounds like you've got one of the better hand Klaxons. There are several different diameter Klaxon horns both hand and electric. You could get lucky and find another horn the same diameter but good luck on that one. If you happen to find one of a larger diameter then you could cut it down to size. I make my gaskets out of paper or thin gasket material and they work fine.

Ed aka #4

All right!

I have fixed Victrola reproducers & telephone diaphragms before and it reminds me of the steel in an old phone diaphragm. Will have to go give this a shot...thanks for the information on these; I have not seen many of them that didn't have someone's car stuck underneath them.

A Model A Ford horn kit might have a large enough diaphragm.