Expert: Michael Radi - 12/31/2008

Question
For my husband's 50th birthday, I purchased an Ingram shelf clock. A piece of paper taped inside the clock says patented Oct. 1878, Nov. 1877.  It's black with spoon carving on the front, large brass face plate.  The pendulum has a capital "I" on it.  It runs, but runs fast.  Also, it chimes, but not necessarily the correct time.  At 10:00 it may chime 12 times.  At 2:00 it may chime 3 times.  There is a small "wheel" on the clock face, horizontal, but I don't know what it is for.  There are two receptacles for the key on the front, one on each side of the face.  So, how do I get the clock to run correctly - not too fast and chime the appropriate number of times?  what is the proper way/time to wind it with the key?

Thank you!!!!!


Answer
The wheel on the front is your timing adjustor. Turn the wheel toward the f or + to make it run faster. Or, turn the wheel toward the s or - to slow it down.
If the clock strikes 3, move the hour hand to the 3 on the clock face. Then move the minute hand forward, you must stop every 1/2 hour on the face to let the clock finish it's strike. Then move it to the next 1/2 hour.
Do this until the hands reach the current time. Run the clock and make your timing adjustments with the small wheel on the front as described above.
Note: These clocks are not self correcting so it is easy for the strike to get off from the hands. Every time the clock strikes an hour, it advances the strike to the next hour. It can't go backwards so keep my instructions above because this is likely to happen again.
I hope this helps and your husband enjoys his birthday present.
Michael
norkro.com