Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 12/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a Howard Miller grandmother clock (Regulator w/ westminster chime) that keeps perfect time but it won't chime anymore. When inserting the key in either chime port (either left or right of the center winding port) they will not turn. The manual said, rarely, you may have to wind in the opposite direction but didn't say when or why??? Cautiously, as I was afraid I may hurt my clock, I tried this very gently and when the key wouldn't budge that way either, I stopped. When I turn the MINUTE hand CLOCKWISE I can feel and hear a slight clunk or thump at 10:30ish. When I turn the MINUTE hand COUNTER CLOCKWISE I get a slight clunk or thump at all even numbers on the clock. I miss the sounds...please help...pic of clock included...

ANSWER: the case is called a school house clock not Grandmother. Grandmother and grandfather clocks are 7' tall and stand on the floor.

the back of the clock may have a panel or door to get into the back?

the clock may need service or overhaul if it is 20+ years old.

stamped info on the back of the mechanism might help with the age and the maker of the mechanism and a photo of the mechanism back might help to see a problem.





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

QUESTION: re: clock won't chime anymore...

ok, school house, I stand corrected.

I've now included a pic of inside of clock...

And label on back states...

Model 612-362
Mov't 354089H
Dial 270223H
Ser # 80290494

Thanks much!

Answer
not label info--that is the case maker info (Howard Miller)needed is stamped info on the back of the mechanism to help with the age and the maker of the mechanism .

from the new photo I can tell the mechanism is German made by Hermle but I cannot read the date or date code at the top of the info on it's back plate. I can however see that the chime shutoff lever is down and resting on the hammer shafts and needs to be raised to allow the clock to chime.