Expert: William J Perkins - 12/1/2008

Question
I have a grandfather clock with a Hermle movement.  Recently on the hour it strikes but once.  A check-up and cleaning was done recently but now I am having this problem.  Also, could you tell me what is the nomenclature of the mechanism that activates the strike and how it works.  It looks like a saw blade.  Thank you

Answer
The part you are refering to is called a rack.  Its function is to control the number of blows the hammers are to deliver to the chime rods.It works in conjuntion with a lift cam, a snail, lift lock lever, lifting cam, locking wheel and lock lever.  I suggest you go to your local library and get you a copy of Philip E Balcomb's  "The clock repair primer".  Within that book you will find diagrams and details as to how these parts funtion.  For me to explain this would require me to literaly write a chapter of a book.  Regards WJP