Cuckoo Clock Parts

Cuckoo PartsCuckoo parts descriptionIf it will not cuckooInstalling the cuckoo handsCuckoo Strike Quantity IssuesCuckoo Door Stuck Open

Please view these information tabs to help with determining the proper parts for your clock.

Repair Parts

The most common Cuckoo Clock Repair Parts sold are the bellow tops and the hands.

The bellow tubes are usually good to reuse on the clock, just the bellow tops have cloth that rip over time and therefore the clock will not cuckoo the time out.

Repairing cuckoo bellows

If the cloth is torn, you do not need to replace the entire cuckoo bellows. You can use only the bellow tops instead.

If replacing just the bellow tops it makes things easier to get the correct size for the clock.

To get the proper bellow tops measure the length and width of the top only. Snap off the old tops off of the bellow tubes and clean the surface with a knife, then epoxy the new tops on the same way. Then transfer the cuckoo lift rings from the old tops to the new ones and its done.

Cuckoo Clock Repair

Cuckoo Clock Repair

The help section can help with many of the most common issues the clock may have. We also have the cuckoo clock movements for post 1950 German made units. This is about 80 percent of the cuckoos out in the world so chances are we have the movement you need.

If the movement is worn out and is post 1950 its just as well to get the new one instead of restoring the old one.

The process of the movement restoration is time consuming and therefore expensive.

When the new movement is 100-200 dollars and will last a lot longer than the best restoration.

The content of this website is copyright by Clockworks and written by James Stoudenmire in year 2022

New cuckoo clock movement not striking

The following is for when the new cuckoo clock movement will not go into striking mode for the hours. The bird will not come out and the clock will not indicate what time it is with the cuckoo call. Here are some guidelines on what to check in this situation.

Latch the cuckoo door

There is a wire above the cuckoo door. This closes and locks into place. This is for either shipping the clock and also for chime shut off.

It is a small wire that stops the door. Turn this wire either in the way or out of the way of the door. Be sure it is out of the way so the door can open and it can cuckoo.

Check the silence lever

There may be a silence lever if the cuckoo movement has one. The silence lever is on the side of the cuckoo clock movement and sticks outside of the clock case.

Push it down for cuckoo on and up for cuckoo shut off. Just move it to the opposite direction and see if the clock will strike out the cuckoo calls.

Sometimes the movement has a silence switch that does not stick outside of the case. But it may still be on the movement itself. Simply look at the back of the clock with the back panel off. Here is where you may see the silence switch.

As you are facing the back of the movement, look for a lever on the right side near the top. Not all cuckoos have this feature. Many manufacturers silence the cuckoo just by locking the bird door.

Clock chain resistance

Be sure nothing is in the way of the chain that drives the striking side of the cuckoo clock. One weight controls the time and the other the strike.

If the chain is rubbing anything, like the hole in the bottom of the cuckoo case, it will not run. It would be equivalent to not having enough weight to make it run.

The chain that holds the weight should be straight from the ratchet wheel and down without rubbing anything. Also the side of the chain that there is no weight can't be caught up on anything as well.

This is the side that you pull to raise the weight on the other side of the chain loop.

Bellow lift wires in the way

On a new cuckoo clock movement install, you have to bend the lift wires so they do not get caught up on each other. Because the bellow wires could be hitting each other and creating resistance if they got caught up on each other during the travel.

These just get bent this way or that way so they can go up and down with the bellow tops. When bellow tops are broken or torn it can cause this to happen also.

Bird arm position

The arm that the bird rests on could be bent in a way where it is trying to go forward too much. Therefore it hits the front of the clock case instead of the position where it opens the door.

The intent is for it to open the cuckoo door only and not hit the front of the clock case. Furthermore, it will only cuckoo if the bird arm is able to be all the way forward with no resistance.

Cuckoo door opening wire

When this wire is too long, it will try to open the bird door too much. The cuckoo strike cannot start if the bird door is open too much.

The solution is to make the door wire shorter or put a bend in it. Putting a bend in this wire so it has a hump instead of straight will be the same thing as making it shorter.

Cuckoo Clock Not Striking Conclusion

Resistance causes the cuckoo to not go into striking mode. There is only 4 or 5 gears that have to spin around to make the clock cuckoo. However, it will not function if there is any resistance.

These 4-5 gears need to spin to have the bellows lift and open the cuckoo door at the same time. These spinning gears dictate a lot of action and any resistance in any part will stop it from working.

The content of this website is copyright by Clockworks and written by James Stoudenmire in year 2022

Installing cuckoo clock hands

Installing the cuckoo clock hands bought from clockworks.com starts with removing the old hands.

Removing the old cuckoo hands

To remove the cuckoo hands you will only need a pair of needle nose pliers.

While holding the minute hand still (longer of the two hands) loosen the minute hand nut with the pliers. Turn the hand nut in a counter clockwise direction while holding the hand still will loosen it up. Now you can turn it with your fingers and it will come right off.

The cuckoo minute hand bushing

With the minute hand off it will expose a round bushing that has a square hole in it. This bushing may or may not come off with the minute hand. In fact it maybe stuck in the hand itself.

If the bushing is stuck in the hand just remove it by prying up and off with a flat screwdriver. The hour hand is next and is only a friction fit. Twist it and pull at the same time and it will come off.

Install the hour hand

The hour hand is first. Simply twist and push at the same time as it is only a friction fit. The tube it goes on tapers although it may not be noticeable. So the more you twist the hour hand and push down at the same time, the tighter it will be on the clock. Do not worry about having it point to the right time yet, we will do that later.

Now put the minute hand on (the longer of the two hands). Put this on the bushing and the ridges will somewhat lock it into place in the hole of the hand. Next is the hand nut which goes onto the hand shaft where the threads are on the tip.

This will sandwich the minute hand between the bushing and its nut. Now it’s time to set the hands to point to the correct time when the clock cuckoo’s.

Install the minute hand

Next put the brass bushing with the square hole in it, on the clocks hand shaft arbor’s square portion. The flat side of the hand bushing will go toward the clock dial. The side with the ridge on it will point outward.

Setting the cuckoo strike

After the install of the cuckoo clock minute hand we need them to point to the right place. Putting the hands in a position to point to the right place when it cuckoos the hour. Put the clock up on the wall and turn the minute hand to make the clock cuckoo out the top of the hour.

Count the number of cuckoo’s the clock sounds out and point the hour hand to that number. For example, if there were 6 cuckoos point the hour hand to the six. Loosen the minute hand some so you can turn it to the 12 to represent the top of the hour.

Tighten the minute hand nut while holding it still at the 12. Now just check the next hour and see if it will point to the correct spot when it cuckoos again.

The content of this website is copyright by Clockworks and written by James Stoudenmire in year 2022

Cuckoo Strike Quantity Issues

Issues with the strike quantity on a cuckoo clock is a common ailment upon setting up a new movement. The clock will strike 12 o’clock and then 12 again at 1 o’clock or something like this. This has to do with the mechanical components behind the clock dial.

Remove the hands and dial to get to that section of the cuckoo movement.

Remove the hands

To remove the cuckoo hands you need a pair of needle nose pliers. Hold the minute hand still (longer of the two hands) while loosening the minute hand nut.

Once the nut is loose, just turn to the left until it is off. Then the minute hand will come off with its round bushing that has a square hole in it. Remove the bushing out of the minute hand when it’s off of the clock.

It is only a friction fit, just push it out or pry it out of the hand with a flat screwdriver. Hour hand is only a friction fit so twist it and pull.

Remove the dial

Removing the dial is done after the hands are off. There is anywhere between 2 and 4 small nails holding the cuckoo dial on the clock. Sometimes, on rare occasions, the dial is glued to the clock case. Either way, it is the same method to remove the dial.

Take a small flat head screwdriver and lift gently on the dial on one side and then the other until little by little it will come up and off the case.

Component description

Once the dial is off of the clock please notice the saw tooth rack. The rack looks like a saw with sharp teeth and it flops up and down in the front of the movement. It falls down on a snail looking thing that is on the same tube as the hour hand.

In other words the smaller of the two hands that points out the hour is also on this same tube as the snail. A rack and snail count system these components determine how many times it will cuckoo each hour.

How it works

There are at least 12 saw looking teeth on the rack, one tooth per hour totaling at least 12. The rack will fall onto the portions of the snail then moves back up one tooth at a time. Each tooth that climbs back up lets the strike train run for that time duration.

That time duration of the strike wheels spinning will allow the clock to cuckoo one time. The lowest portion of the snails humps would be 12 strikes for 12 o'clock. This is because the lowest hump on the snail will expose 12 teeth on the rack.

Correcting Cuckoo Strike Quantity Issues

If there is any Cuckoo Strike Quantity Issues, the issue is in this area. The best thing to do is to make it strike over and over as looking at these components in action.

There is usually no parts to buy to fix this and it’s usually just a matter of tweaking something here or there to let the rack fall as it should and when it should.

Something to note is that if it strikes ONE and TWELVE ok, then the snail is on correctly and the rest of the hours will automatically be ok. So the goal is to be sure the clock strikes the 12 times ok and then the one o’clock also. This will solve the Cuckoo Strike Quantity Issues.

The content of this website is copyright by Clockworks and written by James Stoudenmire in year 2022

Cuckoo clock door stuck open

Upon installation of a new cuckoo clock movement this is a common issue. The Cuckoo clock door stuck open could be a number of things. Please check the following to see if it solves the issue of the door not closing all the way.

Weights not heavy enough

If the pine cone weight that controls the cuckoo portion of the clock is not heavy enough this can be the issue. Pull down some on that weight and see if the door shuts.

If you check all of the below issues, and the door only shuts when pulling the weight down, consider adding a heavier weight. It maybe the wrong pine cone weight to begin with.

Needs Oil

The cuckoo clock movement may need oiling at least on the arms that make the bird go in and out of its house.

Also, it is good to put a drop of clock oil on the door hinges and the connections for the wire that goes from the bird to the door.

Bending the door wire

Try bending up the wire that goes from the bird to the Cuckoo clock door. If putting an upward hump of a bend in this wire, it will basically be the same as shortening this wire.

With a bent or shorter wire, the bird will not come out as far, but also the bird will pull the door shut more when it goes back in the clock case to sleep.

Bird wires bent

The arm that pushes the arm to make the bird come out, may need to get bent inward some. This may be tricky to see or get to, but sometimes there is a small side door on the side of the cuckoo clock case that can open and see this wire, or arm, that pushes the arm that connects to the bird.

Other times there is no door on the side of the case and need to do it from the back of the movement by taking the back panel off of the cuckoo case.

Correcting a bent bird wire

When looking at the back of the movement, this arm will be in a horizontal direction on the back right hand side of the clock movement.

Right as looking at the back of the movement that is.

In some cuckoos this is even trickier to see or adjust as the right hand bellow tube maybe in the way. Remove it if this is the case.

Locate this horizontal wire that is in the approximate middle of the movement, which is on the strike train side. This is the wire that can get bent.

This bending in of the wire more into the movement, will in turn make the door come out more. If bent out some toward the case side, will allow the bird to go in more and therefore the door will shut more.

The content of this website is copyright by Clockworks and written by James Stoudenmire in year 2022
Cuckoo Clock Parts Back Opening Bellows Back Opening BellowsBellow top flaps will open on the back side of the tube, opposite of the hole in the tube. Bellow tops are 2 1/4 x 1 1/4 preattached to the tubes. Size is the length of the tube and top all together in one overall length. Sold as a pair. Item #CU1
CU1: $38.00
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Cuckoo Clock Parts Side Opening Bellows Side Opening BellowsBellow top flaps will open the along side of the clock case toward the front of the clock. Bellow tops are 2 1/4 x 1 1/4 pre-attached to the tubes. Sold as a pair. Item #CU2
CU2: $28.00$40.00
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Cuckoo Clock Parts Trapezoid Tops Trapezoid TopsFor antique cuckoo clocks, these measure 2 1/4 x 2 and tapers to 1 inch and have a cloth flap material. These tops get epoxied on the old bottoms just as the old tops were taken off, see the help section for details. Item #CU3 $22
CU3: $36.00
Cuckoo Clock Parts Bellow Tops Bellow TopsBellow tops are the most frequently needed item on a cuckoo clock. These tops come as a pair and get epoxied on the old bottoms just as the old tops were taken off, see the Cuckoo Clock Parts help section for details. Sold as a pair. Item #CU4
CU4: $20.00
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Cuckoo Clock Parts Bellow Cloth Bellow Cloth 12 x 12If you have a unique shapped bellow set and need to replace the cloth than this will help. Our bellow tops come in limited sizes and it is possible to recloth the bellows with this material. Alot easier if we just have the size you need in the cuckoo bellow top product. Item #CU31 $7
Cuckoo Clock Parts Cuckoo Weight Cuckoo WeightOne day cuckoo clocks usually take the same amount of weight on each chain. So if your missing a weight or two, just look and the number stamped into your old weight and get this same gram amount from the list below. Item #CU5
CU5: $20.00$80.00
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Cuckoo Clock Parts Replacement Chain Replacement ChainThese chains are sold in single 6FT lengths and come in various links per foot (LPF). There are two ways to match it up, you can count the LPF in the existing chain or go by who made the movement. Item #CU8
CU8: $15.00$40.00
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Cuckoo Clock Parts Wire Assort Wire AssortmentIncludes bellow lifting wires in various lengths, eye hole wires, cuckoo bird door wires and the bird to door wire. These are the proper lengths and bends that are the most commonly needed. Item #CU25 $15
CU25: $20.00
Cuckoo Clock Parts Hook & Ring Hook & Ring SetThe hook goes on one end of the chain to hold the weight up in the air. The ring goes on the other side of the same chain so the chain will not travel into the movement and jam up the clock if the clock was not wound up. Item #CU15 $2
CU15: $8.00
Cuckoo Clock Parts Cuckoo Hands Cuckoo HandsCuckoo white celluloid hands. This is for the modern style cuckoo clocks post WW2, that have the round hole in the minute hand for the bushing (bushing not included with hands). Measured the minute hand only. Item#CU10
CU10: $10.00
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Cuckoo Clock Parts Cuckoo Hand Nuts Cuckoo Hand Nuts12 pack of assorted threaded nuts go onto the minute hand to secure the hand to the clock. These come as an assortment as it would be hard to determine exactly what size nut is needed to sell. Item #CU20 $15
CU20: $9.00
Cuckoo Clock Parts Hand Bushings Hand Bushings x6Minute hand bushings that fit the style cuckoo hands that have a round hole in the minute hand. These are sold in a six pack of the same size or a single bushing can be purchased if that is all that is needed. Item #CU6
CU6: $4.00
Cuckoo Clock Parts Cuckoo Bird Cuckoo NumeralsCelluloid plastic numerals than can be epoxied to the cuckoo dial to replace missing numerals. Comes as one set of Roman numerals from one to twelve. The numerals are measured from top to bottom, it is needed to measure the existing height of the old numerals to get a matched fit. Item#CU12
CU12: $9.00
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Cuckoo Clock Parts Tweezers Set of 5 Tweezers x 5Stainless steel tweezers set of five. These are used in cuckoo repair when manipulating wires to go where you want them to among other things. They come in different styles and strengths so there will be the right one for the particular application. This also helps to position the bird in the right spot to tighten the set screw. Item #CU16 $11
CU16: $20.00
Cuckoo Clock Parts Style Clips "E" Style ClipsE clips are used on cuckoo movements to hold lifting levers and other parts into there places. They seem to have a bad habit of flying through the air upon removal, they really travel far sometimes and if they land in a rug it is impossible to find. This will be sure you have the spares you need. A nice addition to a repair bench to have this assortment of 50 mixed sized E clips. Item #CU14 $8
Cuckoo Clock Parts Cuckoo Bird Cuckoo BirdThree inch cuckoo bird that opens its mouth when the tail is lifted. The cuckoo bird is only installed with a single set screw (included) holding it onto a bent wire rod. Loosen this set screw and unhook the door wire and the bird will fall out to be replaced. If wires are needed, please consider ordering the cuckoo wire assortment also. Item #CU11 $5
CU11: $15.00
Cuckoo Clock Parts Chalet Pendulum Chalet PendulumThis Chalet style pendulum is for one day cuckoo clocks with the chalet style theme. The rod that the pendulum leaf is on is 7 inches long for both the smaller unpainted and also the painted pendulums. The sizes listed is the width and length of the pendulum leaf itself. Up with the center decoration makes the time faster, and down is slower time. Item #CU17
Cuckoo Clock Parts Maple Pendulum Maple PendulumMaple leaf cuckoo clock pendulums for either one day or eight day clocks. The sizes listed are the size of the maple leaf on the pendulum stick, the stick itself is 7 inches long. The leaf is able to slide up or down to speed or slow the cuckoo clocks time keeping. Item #CU19
Cuckoo Clock Parts Oak Pendulum Oak PendulumA hand carved Oak Leaf Pendulum for hunter or oak themed cuckoo clocks. The rod that the leaf is on is 7 inches long and the leaf slides up or down on this rod to adjust the time keeping. The larger brown oak leaf is for 8 day cuckoo clocks and the other two smaller oak pendulums are for the one day style. Item #CU18
CU18: $28.80
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Cuckoo Clock Parts Oak Pendulum Deer AntlersCuckoo Clock Parts antlers made of sturdy plastic with a wooden look. These plastic antlers will not break as easy as the old wooden antlers. The size listed is the approximate length from the mounting post to the longest point of an antler. Sold as a pair. Item #CU7
CU7: $12.00$19.20
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Cuckoo Clock Parts bird Cuckoo Top Bird Cuckoo TopThis is the decorative hand carved top that goes on the top of the top of the cuckoo clock, is measured from side to side overall. Item #CU21
CU21: $65.00$120.00
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Clock Pliers Solid Wood DialBrown wood grain cuckoo clock dial with gothic white roman numerals available in up to 8 sizes. The dial of the clock is the first thing one looks at, this high value carved piece will ad elegance and style to any cuckoo. #CU102
CU9: $6.00$18.00
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Cuckoo Clock Parts Head Dressing Mount Head Dressing MountsThis is what you will need to mount the head dressing on a cuckoo clock. Its either this or epoxy, this is the better way. These do not come with the head dressing and is a separate purchase, as there are two different styles to mount. Comes as a pair Item #CU23 $3
CU23: $6.00
Cuckoo Clock Parts Dressing Clip Mounts Head Dressing ClipsThis is another form of mounting for the top head dressing. Comes as two clips that get forced into the dressing with the spikes and then the dressing can clip onto the cuckoo roof. Item #CU24 $6
Cuckoo Clock Parts Oil Oiler & OilPrecision pen oiler that is filled with cuckoo clock oil. The applicator makes it easy to oil hard to reach pivot holes. #CT3 $6
Cuckoo Clock Parts Epoxy Cuckoo EpoxyThe cuckoo epoxy for bellow top replacement, attaching numerals, or repairing broken wood. This drys fast although not clear. Item #CU27 $2
CU27: $6.00
Clock Parts Wood Screw Ast 500pc Wood Screw AstA very large assortment of smaller sized wood screws all brass tone for case work or movement mounting. This is the best assortment for cuckoo clock movements. Item #CP19 $15
CP19: $25.00
Cuckoo Clock Parts Vision Visor Magnifier Visor MagnifierThis magnifier can be worn over glasses. This quality tool is made here in USA and is a must for this type of work. Has 2 1/2 magnification power. Item #CU29 $19
CT17: $31.00
Cuckoo Clock Parts Hand Remover Hand RemoverRemoves stubborn hands and gears in a straight motion. Sometimes this would be needed to remove the wheel on the back that lifts the bellow lift wires also. Item #CU30 $10
CU30: $15.00
Clock Pliers Small Plier Set6pc pliers with various shaped ends for crimping or cutting. Very useful to get into tight places when locking in pivots or wire bending. #CT38 $14
CT38: $27.00
Cuckoo Music Box 36 Note 36 Note Music Box36 Note cuckoo music box plays two different songs and works with the Regula 34 movements. The 36 notes is more than the typical music box and sounds much richer in tone. #RC6 $60