Expert: Martin Meyer - 1/31/2008

Question
I purchase this used. I start the pendulum and in a few minutes the pendulum will stop. it will chime 5 minutes past the hour instead of the hour. Can this be fixed by me doing something simple.

Answer
Hi Zelda,
    Your pendulum is probably out of beat. Please see my Answered Questions for information on setting the beat for wall clocks. Also make sure that you wind the clock all the way, as far it will go, on all winding holes. If this doesn't solve your problem, the clock may need lubrication or the movement's bearings may be worn, and you may need to replace the movement.
    Regarding the chime point being off, there are different mechanisms for this on different clocks, and I can't be sure which type you have. The most common type is a minute hand with a bushing at the center. This bushing is a round, usually brass, disk with a square hole in the center, which fits on the hand shaft. To adjust the chime point, you first remove the hand nut and pull off the minute hand. Then insert a small screwdriver crosswise into the square hole so that it holds tight. Then hold the hand tight and turn the screwdriver so that the bushing rotates a VERY SMALL amount. Be careful to hold the minute hand near its center, so that you don't bend it. Then replace the hand on the clock and check the chime point. It will probably take several delicate adjustments to get the minute hand pointing directly to the "12" when the clock chimes.
    If your minute hand does not have a bushing, setting the chime point is an internal adjustment which should be done by a professional clock repairer.