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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Appliances > Clocks, Watches > Emperor Clock 1151-050H
Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 10/14/2008
Question
I recently inherited an emperor clock 1151-050H from my uncle who was a watchmaker who built it from kit. I am looking to obtain any information, setup manuals, spares manuals, recommended lube oils / greases. At present the clock pendulum ticks away for about 1 min then dies off, I assume the movements need a full cleaning and lubrication and setting up. I would appreciate any help.
Answer
the back plate of the brass mechanism will have the date or date code of the year it was made. over 25 years and most of these need rebuilding or better still replacing. New movements complete are about $200-250 and good for 25 years - ie $10/year for a new clock-pretty cheap- so save your money trying to learn the trade.
Probably it is simply out of beat.
Run throught these steps and see:
-The pendulum assembly begins at the top with a 1" two legged suspension spring pinned to a brass post sticking out of the back of the rear movement plate.
Next a silver(probably) suspension leader about 5" long that hooks onto the bottom of the suspension spring and passes through the "foot" shaped forked brass piece (and must be in the center of the fork slot and not be rubbing front or back) that connects into the inside of the movement. Newer movements have a horizontal bar that fits in the brass suspension leader slot.
Lastly the top of the pendulum hooks onto the bottom of this suspension leader. NOW if all is correctly assembled, swinging the pendulum will get it ticking. The sound of the ticking must sound even or balanced on either side. Not over-swinging one side or the other.
If it is not sounding even, then push with your hand the top third of the pendulum over to the side that has the excessive overswing. You may feel some resistance but gently push a bit more then try the sound of the ticking after swinging the pendulum freely.
If the sound is not improved in the balance then do more pushing -if it is now sounding like excessive swing in the opposite direction then push the pendulum to the other side till it sounds a pretty even tick. Clock should run then. .(There is a little slip clutch that you are adjusting when you push the "L" shaped foot to either side.)
There are a hundred things that could be wrong- you have just taken a tour through the repair of what is wrong 98% of the time!
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