Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 11/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello Sir,
My mantle clock is working fine but not to long ago it, the clock and min /hour arms froze.  Anyway so I moved them but what I should have done first was move the chime assembly that's what got it out of frozen mode but like a dummy I moved the minute arm forward now that everything works it's chime is out of synce,  it chimes 7 minutes after the normal time when it should chime . I read that you are to remove the minute hand then take a needle nose pliers and move it towards the right time that it has just chimed on. I just want to make sure that this is correct.
Pls advise if not that way then how .
I thank you very much and God Bless.
Excess: I was gonna get it fixed at sears until he told me it would cost $ 250 that's alot of money now a days thats why I came to ask you for advise.
Thanks again,

Lenard

ANSWER: You clock froze on the chiming amd backing up the minute hand would have freed it - forcing it ahead slipped the center collet of the hand.  The minute hand is two pieces - the hand and the center collet with the square hole in it. holding the hand and either with a square end of a file that fits the collet or a pair of pliers on the OD of the collet--rotate the relationship between the two so when put back on the minute hand shaft and the nut replaced, it makes you happy where it is pointing.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Ken ,
Thank you for your response anyway can you pls explain it better. Yes I know I have the minute hand,  ok take the minute hand off then move the center where the minute hand was at with a needle nose pliers and rotate that. Question Ken, I can rotate the collet w/the minute hand aim I doing that right or should I move the collet w/the minute hand off w/a needle nose pliers. What is a OD of the collet and also how should I move the minute hand can It be moved forward or backward or it dosent matter? Also what do you mean by relationship between the Two? After all is done will it be syncronized with the chime? My clock is linden black forest 8 day chime clock has three chimes it est1977.
Pls advise.
Thank you Ken



ANSWER: remove the minute hand from the clock.
turn the hand upside down and hold the brass center collet(bushing) with pliers and rotate the center collet while holding the rest of the hand still.

put it back on the clock and turn the minute hand clockwise till it trips the chimes. When the chime trips the hand should be pointing exactly at either #3---#6---#9---or--#12  if not repeat the above adjustment till you get it right - then put the hand and the nut holding it on back on the clock, pointing at #12 when you find where the hour chimes will play.

If the center collet in the hand moves too easily you will have to tighten the joint, otherwise when you try to set the correct time the hand will slip again.(squeeze with the pliers or in a vise or a judicious gentle hammer whack)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hellO again Ken, Just time make sure that Im doing the right adjusting to the clock. Ok when I take off the min hand then I hold the collet with needle nose pliers and turn it clocl wise, How much  do I turn it the collet? And holding the hand still, is that the hour hand that you are refering to? and what is the joint to tighten? I'm sorry that I have been asking you all these questions as I want to do it right.
Pls advise and I Thank you much for your time

Answer
ANSWER: TO REPEAT: remove the minute hand from the clock.
turn the hand upside down and hold the brass center collet(bushing) with pliers and rotate the center collet while holding the rest of the hand still.

put it back on the clock and turn the minute hand clockwise till it trips the chimes. When the chime trips the hand should be pointing exactly at either #3---#6---#9---or--#12  if not repeat the above adjustment till you get it right - then put the hand and the nut holding it on back on the clock, pointing at #12 when you find where the hour chimes will play.

If the center collet in the hand moves too easily you will have to tighten the joint, otherwise when you try to set the correct time the hand will slip again.(squeeze with the pliers or in a vise or a judicious gentle hammer whack)

the MINUTE hand that you have removed from the clock and are holding in your hot little fist- the hour hand is fine.