Grandfather Clock Strike Quantity Correction
Grandfather Clock Strike Quantity Correction
This article will address the German Grandfather Clock Strike Quantity Correction issue. This is where the clock will not strike the correct number of hours. This includes if it is striking any hour for two hours in a row. Also if it is striking more than 12 hours at a time, or even striking forever. The correction does not require the removal of the clock movement. Only the removal of the dial needs to happen. So the movement can sit in the cabinet like always, but the hands and dial need to be off the clock.
Where the issue is
The best way to learn the simple action of the strike count, is to watch the components on the front of the movement when its striking. Just keep the dial off the clock, make it strike by advancing the minute hand, and watch the parts in the front of the movement in action. Grandfather clocks use a rack and snail counting system. This allows for the proper number of strikes to be heard on the hour. The rack is the saw like thing that drops down onto the snail looking thing that is part of the hour hand tube.
If the rack is not connecting to the snail properly, the strike will not strike the proper amount of times. The correction is in the hour hand tube itself. That is the tube that the hour hand mounts to. This tube is one or two teeth off from where it is should be and is an easy fix.
Strike quantity correction
If the clock is striking the wrong number of hours, some hours or not all, the snail (hour tube) must be turned slightly. This will allow the rack to fall on the snail's humps correctly. The C clip comes off the gear it meshes with, so the hour tube can come up some and over the teeth of the other gear. The goal is to have the snail fall in the center of the hump instead of off to the side. If the clock strikes 12 and 1 o'clock ok, then the rest will be fine.
Strikes forever or not at all
If the rack is getting stuck on anything or if it falls behind the hour tubes "snail", then the clock will strike the same amount of times every time. It could also keep on striking forever or any number beyond 12 times. One of the ways it can fall behind the snail is by changing hands. Since the hour tube has the snail on it, it moves forward upon removing the hour hand. This can cause the rack to fall behind the snail and therefore does no good for counting strikes like it should. The fix is to lift this rack with your finger and push the hour hand tube back so the rack falls on it.↑ Back to top
My spring driven German wall clock stops although the pendulum swings and produces the normal sounding tick tock. In less than 15 minutes or so the clock will just stop. At his point manually advancing the minute hand results in some resistance that can only be overcome by moving the hand a little backwards. The hands do not have any mechanical touching or other interferences. The escapement advances normally. The rocker part of the escapement seems to float rather than maintain an adjustable position. The clock is level.
Are these common issues? What do you recommend?.
Sounds like the clock movement is worn. You said German and also every 15 min giving issues, so I am assuming it is a quarterly westminster chime unit. Each 15min is the warning for the chime, the minute hand arbor lifts a lever to start the chime, to get it ready. This is called a warning, and it lets the chime spin some to prepare for the song. So if the movement is worn, this heavy lifting of the warning lever is enough resistance for a worn movement to stop at this point. If you provide the movement numbers off of the back plate, we can maybe provide a brand new movement for less money than even a adjustment on that old worn unit.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
on the flat part of the snail the edge flares out (why?) this is where the rack falls behind the snail. should it fall on the top of the flared out edge?
Yes on top is where it belongs
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I have a grandfather clock purchased in 1984 clock works are German. The problem Iam having is I have tried to adjust the snail so the rack falls in the middle of the humps so the rack does not go beyond the teeth. each time the clock strikes the counter goes off the end of the rack resulting in one strike only. Suggestions?
Hi,
Best to email a video of this to clockworks@clockworks.com and so I can see it in action. Sounds simple enough I am sure we can have a solution for you.
More articles on strike issues and chime issues
https://www.clockworks.com/?post_type=post&s=Strike%20issue
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Clock doesn’t strike The correct time
Need more info, can you please clarify exactly the issue
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
if it is 9:00 it only strikes 8 times
The hour hand is friction fit. Point it to whatever time the clock strike out, then set to time with the minute hand
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Such a huge help, now its striking perfectly.
Our Hermle grandfather clock movement part is apparently worn after 30+ years of operation. I built it from Emperor Clock Company’s offers in 1981. I recently had it apart three times, cleaned & oiled; it worked well for about a week, then would strike two times of the four normal at the first quarter hour; and if it doesn’t complete that first quarter, then it won’t strike and won’t chime at the hour thereafter. The solution after reading this page on ‘Grandfather Strike Quantity Correction’, I placed an order for a new movement through Clockworks. James commentaries were very informative. I will post again, when the new one arrives and installed. Thanks. tjg11Oct2022