Hand klaxon diaphragm & gaskets

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Topic author
VanEpsFan1914
Posts: 39
Joined: Sat Jan 18, 2020 9:04 pm
First Name: Charles
Last Name: Foyle
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Location: Florence County, SC
Board Member Since: 2020

Hand klaxon diaphragm & gaskets

Post by VanEpsFan1914 » Mon Sep 29, 2025 2:37 pm

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