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 mantel spring driven Caldwell clock keeps perfect time but the speed of the hourly chimes is erratic, starting slowly then
rushing through the middle of a long hour. Also toward the end of the week one of the springs will make a loud thump.
This clock is probably close to 150 years old. Should the springs be replaced?
Yes the springs should be replaced if they are set, or sticking to itself. At least cleaned and greased and checked out. If it is doing that much, there most surely is wear in the movement as well. Interested in sending it in for restoration ?
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Possibly, where are you located. Many thanks for the prompt reply. Serge Pepper, Kennett Square Pa.
People take the movement out of the clock case and send the movement alone with nothing else, double boxed, from all over the country.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Clockworks Inc
http://www.clockworks.com
124 Goss Hill
Huntington, MA 01050 USA
clockworks@clockworks.com
Clock strike bounces on last strike
Please see this article
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/clock-chime-hammer-positioning
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My strike chain is stuck in the gear box. Is there a way to free it without disassembly?
See this article
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/grandfather-clock-weights-stuck
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
my grandfather clock strikes 19 occasionaly…why ? lol
Take the dial and hands off of the clock.
To understand the issue at hand, the most effective way to grasp the basic concept of strike counting is by observing the components on the front of the clock’s mechanism during its striking process. You can achieve this by disengaging the clock’s hands and manually advancing the minute hand to trigger the striking action. Pay close attention to the components in the front of the clock’s movement.
Grandfather clocks utilize a rack and snail counting system, which ensures that the clock strikes the correct number of times on the hour. The “rack” resembles a saw-like mechanism that descends onto the snail-shaped component connected to the hour hand’s tube.
If the rack fails to engage with the snail properly, the clock’s striking mechanism will not chime the correct number of times. The issue lies within the hour hand tube itself, the tube to which the hour hand is attached. It may be misaligned by one or two teeth, but fortunately, this is a straightforward problem to address.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Hi, I have a weight driven grandfather clock that runs perfectly until 11:50. then the pendulum stops everything has tightened up and the clock stops. There is a pin on the gear behind the hands that another lever seems to be stuck on. So confused could any one help? Please.
Seems maybe the moon gear or the gears behind the dial for the moon are not free. Please run the clock with no hands or dial on the clock and see if persists or not
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
hi I have a hermle 1171 in a ridgeway grandfather clock. The strike for the for the gong is two minites off. It goes of at 2 minutes after. How can I reset it so it stikes exactly at 12 and quarter-hours as they all stike two minutes late
See this link on the issue
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/mechanical-clock-chime-on-time
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My clock srikes 12 times every hour. Do I have to open the back of the clock to reset the hour tube?
My clock strikes 12 times every hour.
Rack is stuck in the down or up position. See pics at this link
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/grandfather-clock-strike-quantity-correction
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
The hands and the clock dial come off the clock to fix this issue.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
What do I do after I remove the hands and dial?
The most effective way to grasp the mechanics of strike counting is by observing the key components involved in the striking process. Simply remove the clock’s face, induce striking by manually advancing the minute hand, and closely observe the mechanisms at the front of the clock movement. Grandfather clocks employ a rack and snail counting system, ensuring the correct number of strikes on the hour. The “rack” resembles a saw-like apparatus that descends onto the snail-shaped component integrated with the hour hand’s tube.
If the rack fails to engage with the snail properly, the striking mechanism will not produce the correct number of chimes. The solution lies within the hour hand tube itself, the structure to which the hour hand is affixed. This tube may be misaligned by one or two teeth, but this is a straightforward issue to rectify.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Thank you very much. God bless your day!
I have a Colonial grandfather clock with a Jauch movement. It was striking all hours correctly except 12, when it would only strike once. I tried moving the snail one notch counter clockwise, but after that it now strikes 7 times on 12. All other hours strike correctly. Does anyone have suggestions/ideas on what I should do now? This is my first time tinkering with the movement.
For whatever reason the rack is not dropping down all the way to expose 12 teeth. Please try this with no dial or hands on the clock and watch what happens at the 12 oclock hour
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I own a Howard Miller grandfather clock and have tried to silence the hourly strike by using the “silent” lever at the nine o’clock position but it still continues to strike. There are three choices on that side….strike, night off and silent. Now, if I set the chimes to “silent” then both chimes and strike are silenced. I would rather just hear the chimes and not the hourly strike as they are a little jarring when trying to watch TV, etc, Any suggestions?
Try putting it on strike, I think that may silent the hourly bongs
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I’ve inherited a grandfather clock. After having it moved to my home and set up, the chimes sound “garbled.” Upon set up, the technician told us that the strike plate was showing its age and may need to be replaced. Is this what is making the chimes sound so garbled?
See this link on chime hammer positioning
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/clock-chime-hammer-positioning
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I have a newish grandfather clock, while trying to get it to chime properly, ive done something to it, when the clock chimes on the 3/4 westminster chime, it then strikes the hours, it will then chime the full chime on the hour, I dont know how ive done this or how to sort it out, if anyone has any ideas.
In the end the fix is simple as taking the minute hand off and reinstall so it points the top of the hour instead of 3/4. Then set to time.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I purchased a Charles Sleigh grandfather clock in 1985….works perfect! except, when set on SILENT, it still bongs on the HOUR (only). What to do?
When you put it on silent are you using the switch at the 3 clock side or the 9 oclock side?
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
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
Such a huge help, now its striking perfectly.
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
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
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
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