Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 2/25/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a Seth Thomas Office #5 eight day clock.
There are NO markings on the rear face of the frame.
The only markings are on the front. They are:
ST   
Made  US America
41P (Lower right corner)

I am not that concerned about authenticity of the clock, rather that it tick and tock. The original movement has been repaired twice and failed twice. It is time to replace it, if possible.
I believe the movement is an  #41-P eight day clock with out chimes or other noises.
Can you suggest a replacement movement and supplier?
Thank you

ANSWER: do NOT replace the movement!!!   You will destroy the value of your clock forever.Get it fixed properly - these movement are VERY simple and easy to work on. Not sure what has failed you, you do not say- but it should be something simple to fix and well worth it.

I assume your clock looks like this?:

http://www.antiqueclockspriceguide.com/clockdetail.php?id=27906



Carl, for heaven's sake - what is wrong with the clock? Shooda been able to fully rebuild it 3 times for $500 - where are you taking it, and what do they say was wrong, and what seems to be wrong now????

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

QUESTION: The clock was last repaired in 2005 for $280.00. The main spring was replaced and I guess the clock was cleaned.

The clock stopped working about 10 days ago. I was winding the clock. It was almost fully wound (approx. 13 half turns) when it went sprong and the key snapped back on my hand.

I took the movement out of the clock and looked at it. I am not qualified to do much more. The main spring appears to be intact.  
There is a cog that engages the gear on the winding key shaft. The pressure spring on this cog was not in place. With this cog not engaging, I could wind the spring several turns. Then it appears to slip and unwind.
I placed the pressure spring back in the groove in the cog. Now I can wind the clock about 6 half turns and it comes to a sudden hard stop. As though it is fully wound. The clock will run for about 20 minutes, then stop.

The spring does compress, but not enough to keep the clock going. The outer edge of the spring just clears the big toothed wheel at the top, but touches the wheel when unwound.

Answer
"I placed the pressure spring back in the groove in the cog. Now I can wind the clock about 6 half turns and it comes to a sudden hard stop. As though it is fully wound. The clock will run for about 20 minutes, then stop."

  Sounds like this movement has "stop works" on the spring.

Look on the square winder shaft on the front of plate of the mechanism and there should be a small 1/2" diameter gear on the square shaft held on by a brass arm held on by a screw. It engages a similar size gear just off to the side Looking closely the gear on the shaft has one tooth or finger that is longer than the rest and it is engaged in the one space on the other gear that is shallower than all the rest on that gear. When they meet the winding up stops and when they unwind (odd and even # of teeth) they meet again about 13 half turns later when the spring will be prevented from being un-wound any further.

  You need to check closely for damage to the ratchet gear on the winding shaft - like a rounded off tooth, and check the cog for positive engagement as it winds up. If you find no problems then you can remove the screw holding the gear on the shaft, remove the gear and wind the clock till about 90-95% fully wound and then replace the gear so it prevents further winding. You will have fixed the problem then.  Advise if you have any further questions, please!