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About John Newman
Expertise
Because of the variations of clock values throughout the world, and particularly the lack of data on modern production clocks, I regret that I CANNOT DETERMINE CLOCK VALUES. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been involved in building, repairing and restoring clocks for about 30 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.
Experience
One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.
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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Appliances > Clocks, Watches > Linden Clock
Expert: John Newman - 10/4/2008
Question
John, In a previous answer regarding a Linden wall clock, you wrote, "The three holes are for winding. You should have a key that fits on the winding arbors in the holes. Make sure the key has very little play. One that is worn or to big can slip, and a mainspring can let go, damaging the clock and your hand." Well, I just learned the hard way the damage a slipping key can cause. I nearly lost the tips to my index and middle fingers on my left hand.
I have a Linden clock which my grandmother gave me. I would wind the middle arbor for the time but was never sure what the left and right ones were for. After reading the previous mentioned question and answer I became curious and took the clock off the wall, slipped off the back cover and looked inside. I never realized that the clock had chimes. The one hammer was stuck in the up position and with a nudge, it gave the most charming series of chimes. Excited, that I could hear these chimes regularly, I tried winding the left and right arbors. The left one wound nicely. When I wound the right one, it kept wanting to continuously wind without "catching" After a few turns, it caught but I was still able to wind it further. It was when I attempted to wind it further that it slipped and violently kicked back gouging my fingers. OUCH!!
After bandaging my wounds, I tried winding the right arbor again. This time, I stopped after it caught the first time. That was a few hours ago and the clock has yet to chime at the quarter, half, three quarter or hour.
Any ideas why it won't chime? Is there something I can do or do I need to take the clock in for repairs?
Thanks for any advice you can give.
Answer
Tom, I'm sorry about your hand, I've been there! Thanks for sharing your story. Winding caution applies to all spring wound clocks, especially the Asian 31-day ones which have very powerful springs.
The left winding arbor is for the strike, the center for the time and the right for the chime. The right one will be a little harder to wind as it is a stronger spring which is required to power the chime function. Also, the strike will only function after the chime successfully completes it hour chime.
The problem with your clock probably has to do the the ratchet or click. This is the part that actually makes the clicking sound when you wind it. It keeps the spring from unwinding. It definitely needs to be looked at by an experienced clockmaker. The ratchet needs to be repaired and the clock probably serviced which would include cleaning, inspecting for any other worn or broken parts, oiling and adjusting.
Good luck and I hope your hand heals soon.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Historic Downtown Prattville
Alabama
klokdok@juno.com
(Due to the number of Allexperts questions and workload at my shop, I can answer only Allexperts questions amd follow ups in a timely manner from this email address.)
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