Expert: Martin Meyer - 2/25/2008

Question
QUESTION: My parents bought us a Cornwall Clock, pendulum, strike chime movement, mantle clock, item number 3361C.  It uses a D battery and recently stopped running.  Looking at the housing, it appears the motor could be replaced by a "novice". I cannot find any info on the company - Cornwall Industries, Inc., East Baldwin, Maine. How can I get the clock fixed without a lot of expense.

ANSWER: Hi Ed,
    I apologize for the delay in getting back to you.
    You can obtain battery chime & pendulum movements from clock supply houses like Timesavers, Merritts Antiques or Empire Clock. They attach by a single nut on the handshaft, and can be replaced easily. The best of these movements, in my opinion, is the Hermle 2214, but you must make sure that it will fit in the space available in your clock. Also, this movement requires a slightly larger handshaft opening than other movements. It is sometimes necessary to slightly enlarge the hole in the dial to make it fit. The original hands from your clock may or may not fit the new movement. If they don't fit, there is a wide selection of replacement hands available.

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QUESTION: If the original hands of my clock do not fit an Hermle 2214, can new hands be purchased at Timesavers, Merritts Antiques or Empire Clock?

ANSWER: Hi Ed,
    The Hermle 2214 takes the standard "I-shaft" hands which are used almost universally on today's quartz movements. They are available in a wide range of styles and sizes. Any of the above clock supply houses will have them.

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QUESTION: the last question, i promise.  this clock has a very tinny chime, any suggestions on how to improve the sound.  the twin strikers hit two long rods and sort of clang.

Answer
Hi again Ed,
    The short chime rods on mantle clocks do not have the quality of tone that longer chime rods (as on a longcase clock) would have. You can obtain sets of chime rods from clock supply houses; they may or may not have a better tone than the originals. The tone of chime rods varies according to many factors, including the wood of the case itself, as it acts as a sounding board, so it's hard to predict what new rods will sound like.