Conference With A Clock Repair Specialist
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Last week received a new clock movement for my Sleigh wall clock but have one quirky problem. At the 3/4 hour the clock chimes thru 3/4 of the tune, but it does not play the last note until 12 and 1/2 minutes later. Can this be adjusted or is my movement defective?
It is a simple adjustment but we need to zoom support call to show how it is done.
Can we schedule?
James Stoudenmire
40yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
By.
I have completed the installation of the Hermle 451-050 purchased from clockworks and everything is working.The clock chimes the quarter hour and sounds good, the full hour chimes correctlyalso. The problem I’m having is the new movement runs fast. It gains about an hour every 12 hours. All the weights are equal in weight and I have pulled the chains once since the clock was started. Any suggestions.
Check to be sure the CM number from the old matches the new CM number that is stamped on the back of the new unit.
If the old pendulum hanger / leader is longer than the new one, use the old leader instead
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Have Seth Thomas clock. Chime is off by two hours since I changed the time. How do I fix?
What are the numbers off of the back plate of the clock movement itself? If it is hard to get to, usually you can stick a cell phone up behind the movement and get a picture of the numbers. Or through the side access panel if there is one.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Yes, there are some improvements made over the years but all stuff fits up the same. The only one thing that may or may not, is if yours is very old there is a slight chance the moon gear from the old may not fit the new. Usually 90 percent of the time in these swap outs, it is fine.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
On a u40 electric movement, where does the chime plug in?
On the back side, low left
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
What color are these hand nuts? I need black ones, but the picture indicates other colors.German Clock Hand Nuts$10.00
German Clock Hand NutsGerman clock hand nuts for post 1950 clock movements. Fits Hermle, Kieninger, Urgos, Jauch and more.
Gold tone and silver both
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I recently purchased a kit J77T triple chime to replace an old movement. On the back of the old movement the name Heinz Jauch is stamped as well as 77 574 and 277832. I immediately ran into a problem because the dial attachment to the movement uses 3 posts and these don’t align with the old movement. I can attach the face to the case without attaching it to the movement but I am concerned that it will rattle or eventually shift during chiming. Do I just need to purchase a new dial?
See conversion notes on the product page, this link
https://www.clockworks.com/product/jauch-pl77-clock-movement-kit
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Im having trouble stopping the clock striking. If I wind it too much, it seems, the striking continues with no stop. The arm that is supposed to drop down into the counter slots does not do so when it gets to a deeper slot. If I put a little pressure on the arm as its ringing as it gets to the deeper slot, I can get it to drop in and stop. When the striking mechanism is engaged, it is running, there is wheel that turns and it has I think 3 or 4 slots that another littler arm is supposed to drop into that will allow the counter arm to drop, I cleaned that it was pretty gummed up. I had the clock disassembled and repaired by you several years ago…
What are the numbers off of the back plate of the clock movement itself? If it is hard to get to, usually you can stick a cell phone up behind the movement and get a picture of the numbers. Or through the side access panel if there is one.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I bought new bellows and installed them. One side sounds good but the other side barely makes a sound. What is the solution?
Bend the lift wire to open the flap of the bellows some more
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Could it be that there is something wrong with the tube/whistle?
Check the bellow top connection to the tube to see if it is set right. Be sure the bellow is not ripped. Try it with fingers out of the cuckoo and see if it works
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I’m referring to the lack of sound when I operate the bellows manually before even installing it. There is only a slight sound compared to the other bellow/tube complex.
I suppose the top is not glued on as to line up the hole in the tube with the hole in the bellow top. Or maybe there is a rip in the bellow cloth
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I bought new bellows for my coo coo clock. One of the old bellows has a wire sticking out of it which I believe pushes out the coo coo. How do I attach a wire to the new bellows?
See this article on the issue
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/replacing-cuckoo-bellow-tops
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I installed the QU40 movement into my clock frame, followed the instructions for installation, reset the chimes and all seem to work fine. The pendulum swings but the minute hand does not move. I then removed the movement from my clock frame and just have it setting on my workbench. the same problem exists. Any idea what may be causing this?
Be sure it has the AA battery installed in the center time movement. So it takes two C cell batterys and also one AA battery.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
After putting in the new movement, the clock will run for a few days, and than it just stops. When this happens the weights are usually 40 to 55 percent down. i checked the weights to make sure that they are in the right chains. Any idea why it keeps stopping?
Fra
If the upper portion of the clock case is touching the wall, bring the clock forward some away from the wall instead. Should solve
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Unable to get new hemerle Gmkit2 to chime or gong after installed in new clock. Have followed available troubleshooting information and resolved recommended issues. Can get it to manually gong with dial off and some manipulation of gears. No activation of chime.
Does it chime with the dial and hands off the clock ?
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Not seeing my replies from last night – The answer is no change if running with the hands off.
Ok will look into this further
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Pulled the hands and ran it for an hour plus with the pendulum stick off and then on. Also verified that it was not in silent mode. No chime or gongs either way. The only difference was that the pendulum kept stopping every 10-15 minutes and it was difficult to keep it in beat with each restart.
I removed the face which did not change the condition. Had kept the hands on to manipulate the minute hand around all quarters to watch the gears and levers. Got the clicks at each quarter, and was able to manually move the gear above the snail to initiate the latch that triggers the gong consistently in the same place, but the works never went into that same position during an hour or more of running.
I will remove the hands and report back if there is a change. Ok if I remove the pendulum with the weight on to go through the full rotation a little faster ?
Yes it is fine to do. But it seems it may need some more attention. See how it does
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I have a grandmother clock, circa 1900, built by my wife’s great grandfather. He carved the casing and installed the movement (“E. Ingr——m Co. PAT B OCT—— NOV 11.79” BRISTOL CONN”). The click on the chime’s mainspring is loose. I think the click’s rivet hole has enlarged over time, so sometimes the click wobbles and gets out and over the ratchet teeth, letting the chime mainspring completely unwind all at once.I’ve made smaller repairs, but not sure how to redrill a rivet hole and fit a new click in. Can you give me a ballpark estimate and how long it might take for an expert like you to do this?
If that is worn, there is more in the movement also. The best way to do this is to send it in for cleaning and inspection. We give a report of our findings and give you a quote for a movement restoration. This service is $200. If you do not like the quote provided, you will end up with a cleaned (assembled clean), oiled, movement with a full report on what it is and what it needs, with a good luck.
If interested, please let me know
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I just purchased a new movement from clockworks. The installation seemed straight forward. However the clock runs until I add the pendulum. The clock will stop in about 30 seconds with this added. Any ideas?
Did you get the instructions by email ok?
See this section on how to put a clock in beat
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/mechanical-clock-movement-beat-setting
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I bought from you clock kit 208-451-050/94cm: Lyre bob; SD8 11sq. The two end weights stoped going down with the time. The middle one works which I assume is for the time. Any reason why the two end weights stop working?
Please run it without the hands and the clock dial for testing the chime. It will narrow things down. Next, put the minute hand on just slightly to turn it to the next chime, and the next, let it strike out the hours fully. If it chimed and striked ok, your all set, put the dial and hands back on. What happened is the rack fell behind the snail (the hour hand tube) and brought it forward some. It brought the hour hand forward to the point that when the minute hand is installed it squashed the hour hand upon tightening the minute hand nut. With the strike squashed between the front plate and the snail, all sorts of weird issues occur. If this was a fail and the clock did not chime through this, continue with the below check points.
Be sure the clock’s silent lever is in the down position. This lever is at 3oclock on the movement. This is chime ON.
The chain cant be rubbing anything in its path like the seat board. Should be ratchet wheel straight to the weight, not rubbing anything.
Is the hammers hitting anything in its path when they move? If the hammers are rubbing the back of the clock case, or if there hitting or rubbing against each other, the clock will hang up and not chime
The heaviest weight on your right as you face the clock? The chime weight is the heaviest weight out of the three and goes in this position.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Pendulum grandfather clock keeps stopping. Why?
Is this one chain driven or cable driven ?
What are the numbers off of the back plate of the clock movement itself? If it is hard to get to, usually you can stick a cell phone up behind the movement and get a picture of the numbers. Or through the side access panel if there is one.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I just received my new Franz Hermle movement a No (0) Jewels Made in Germany 451-050H 94cm/66.000 to replace my old Hermle made in USA 451-050H 94cm/66 movement that was keeping prefect time, but, the chimes were not working. I followed the installation instructions and now when I start the pendulum I can here the clock tic-tock which sounds correct, but after about 10 minutes the pendulum stops running. The chains are all free hanging and the weights are installed correctly. The weights that came with the USA Hermle are 1-6lbs weight and 2-5lbs weights. Why would I be having issues with the new Franz Hormle movement?
99% of the time it is in the set up and not the movement.
Is the pendulum touching anything at all or the sides of the clock case
Is the pendulum rubbing the chime rods at all
Are the clock hands touching each other or rubbing the dial
Is the moon gear meshing ok with the gears on the back of the dial
Is the chain dropping directly down through the seat board, not rubbing the seat board or the mounting screw
Is the crutch, the part that wackes the pendulum hanger back and forth, able to wack it ok? In other words the leader
(pendulum hanger) is going directly through the crutch, not riding the back of the crutch or front of the crutch but in the middle so the crutch can wack the pendulum hanger just a bit during its tick / tock
Is the clock in beat? This is the most common issue
Putting a clock in beat
In many cases the complaint with a mechanical clock is that it stopped working after it was moved. This is usually from someone moving the clock without taking the pendulum off and this puts the clock out of beat. Out of beat is a term used in clock repair that basically means the clock is going tock-tick tock-tick instead of tick tock tick tock. It is sometimes corrected by putting a matchbook or Small piece of wood under one side of the clock case to make the tick and the tock evenly spaced. This can temporarily correct the problem and the clock runs fine.
This method however is not as good as correcting the beat and having the clock run when it is truly straight and level. This can be done on most clocks by slightly pushing the pendulum one way or another beyond its resistance to far to one side. This will affect the tick and tock and the idea is to get this to be evenly spaced in time as in tick tock tick tock,
not ticktock ticktock, or even tocktick tocktick
Please check these issues and if your still having problems we will get a return number from the factory and swap this movement out or test run it at the repair center.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Since i am in Idaho, your 4:45 would be 2:45? Correct? I will be working at this time. I can do 4:45 (6:45 your time) my time would you be available? Tuesday or Thursday is wonderful.
Correct, we are on Eastern time
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
AWI / BHI / Lifetime NAWCC
I have a Ridgeway Grandfather clock with Urgos movement. It hasn’t worked in years probably has something to do with multiple moves to different houses. Currently the pendulum swings but after about 4-minutes it stops. The clock hands don’t move at all and the second hand seems to struggle to move but never quite makes it. I’m open to a zoom call but thought I would check with you via your blog first. Thank you.
Rick
Ridgeway has not produced clocks in a long while, if the movement is over 25 years old its just time to swap it out for the new one anyway.
Comes with instructions and support
What are the numbers off of the back plate of the clock movement itself? If it is hard to get to, usually you can stick a cell phone up behind the movement and get a picture of the numbers. Or through the side access panel if there is one.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Hour chime is 4 hrs off. How do I fix it
Turn the minute hand around forward until it strikes out the hours
Point the hour hand to whatever hour it struck out.
Set to time with the minute hand
All done
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I have a mantel clock that very easily locks up the 2 mainsprings. Usually, I just take it in for service every 5 years. Works great for a month or two and then no more. I’m always told the springs have locked up even though I am very careful about overwinding. Decided to try to let down the mainsprings at home to save on the huge cost to take it in for service. I love the chimes, but can’t afford regular service. I have disassembled the clock housing. I now need to remove the clock face from the movement. There is a pin in the shaft that the hands are on. I assume I pull that pin out; remove the hands; and then have access to the inside to perform the let-down. I am a little nervous to head down this path without ensuring it is the correct path. Can you confirm? Should I schedule a zoom instead? I figure worse case – I take it into a clock repair shop as long as I don’t totally mess it up.
You cant over wind the clock, that is a myth. The zoom call would be the best way.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Hermle 451 050 85 CM , got a new movement to replace the old one, unable to get the hour hand to stay in place. Works fine on the old movement.
The hour hand mounting post is split. The reason is it split is so it can be tightened with pliers for a snug fit. The hour hand is only friction fit, so this works usually
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I need help of putting back sks 13 movement. I did cleaning and lube but after putting it back the chime is not working properly
Is the chime selector on chime
Is the auto night selector on daytime
Is the hammers hitting anything in its path when they move or the back of the case
Is the heaviest weight on the your right as you face the clock
Is the chain rubbing the seat board or pinched between the movement and seat board
Is the chime selector drum unit jammed on the hammers trying to go up – move all the chime hammers back at once to release the roll pin drum to move where it wants and it will be fixed
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Just installed my new Kieninger AEL12. All works fine but clock will not strike the 11 o’clock and 12 o’ckock hours.
This is a tricky question as there is nothing special about 11 or 12 from any other time. Please remove the dial and reinstall the hands and run it, see if it sill gives an issue. If it does, please email a picture of the front of the clock with the hands on it, to clockworks@clockworks.com asking this very same question again. This way we can zoom in on the area in the front
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I have a Hermle 451053H 85cm movement in a Loben Grandfather clock. It was moved. When putting it back together, the pendulum doesn’t swing very long before it stops. I have pictures of the back of the movement. I think a part was lost. I can see the suspension spring but think the part from the suspension spring to the pendulum is missing.
Hi
Here are the pendulum parts we offer for the pendulum assembly from the top of the movement.
This list applies to 451-050 / 451-053 / 1151-050 / 1151-053 / 241 / 261 Hermle units, yours included.
This is the old style leader for that
https://www.clockworks.com/product/hermle-clock-pendulum-leader-4-3-8-long
This is the new style leader
https://www.clockworks.com/product/hermle-clock-pendulum-leader-5-1-2-inch
Suspension spring is A3 if the bob is 6 1/2 inches or wider
https://www.clockworks.com/product/clock-pendulum-suspension-springs-assortment
Suspension spring A2 if the bob is less than 6 1/2 wide
https://www.clockworks.com/product/clock-pendulum-suspension-springs-assortment
Top hook for the wood stick pendulum if you need it, it is the 3/4 inch wide one
https://www.clockworks.com/product/hermle-clock-movement-top-hook
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
My dad is having the same problem with his pendulum clock. It will run until he puts the face on, then when he puts the face on, it will run for a few days and then it stops. Any ideas on what could be wrong?
Check the moon gear interaction with the gear on the clock movement.
Check the moon disk can spin easy
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
my clock is not consistently striking the correct number of times on the hour. It is striking on the hour, each hour, but sometimes it strikes an additional strike and sometimes it is correct.
Hi,
See this article I have written in the past on this issue. Hopefully it will help
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/grandfather-clock-strike-quantity-correction
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I recently purchased a clock movement from you and you had to change the pendulum to fit around the chimes.. as soon as i put it back in the clock it stops. Even without the pendulum attached it won’t run. Should I send it back to you for inspection? #274205
Hi,
No not yet we can help you with the set up. We can even do a zoom support live support if it comes down to it. Best to email this same question to us at clockworks@clockworks.com by replying to your receipt, this way we can help you and know what was purchased and when and so forth.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Hi James,
No need for the zoom on the Seth Thomas clock. I have a local clock shop taking a look at it.
Thank you,
Steve
Purchased a Hermle 451-050H, 114cm followed the instructions provided in the email and on your help pages and it does not work. It sounded the hours once at 8 minutes past and never chimed or sounded the hours again. Checked everything I could find that was related and nothing helps. It does keep time though.
Hand Fix to Chime Spot
Make the minute hand point to the right spot, when the clock chimed. This is easy, just take off the minute hand and bring it to your garage. When your in your garage with the minute hand take some pliers and turn the bushing that is inside the hand itself. Walk back to the clock and put the minute hand on and see if its now pointing closer to the quarters when chimes.
I recently purchased a Hermle UW66020 to replace the Urgos UW66009 on my Howard Miller GF clock. At first observation they look very similar, only the suspension post is elevated in the new movement. On trying to set it into the case
the chime strikers don’t line up with the chimes and the suspension post hits the chimes and box. The chime box is not mounted in the perfect center of the case. Does the new movement need to be reconfigured lowering the post or does the chime box need to be moved?
Please see these posts
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/451-1151-high-bridge-suspension-post-length-issue
https://www.clockworks.com/posts/clock-chime-hammer-positioning
James
Hermle 241–840 is running fast 76 Ticks per minute, how many ticks per minute is correct?
Should say on the back plate of the movement under that 241 number
James
Very cool new service!
THANK YOU