Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 3/5/2008

Question
QUESTION: We finally got the chains and weights right and the clock is working after years of non use It is a hermle 451-050H made in 1984 . The chimes sound sick and truthfully we don't even know if they work properly. It is 4PM here and the clock chimed 9 times .The hourly chimes sound good it is the other ones that sound very weak and off. Do I need to tighten the tension? If so, how do I do that?  Hope you can give me some onsight. thanks

ANSWER: heaviest weight on the right as you face clock - next in the middle
Move the hour hand (short one) to agree with the # the clock chimed- then set the current time using the minute hand (long one) as usual.

adjust the rest position of each hammer head to about a toothpick thick distance from each rod by bending the brass hammer arms with your fingers. This is the only real adjustment - trial and error till sounds best. The bolts holding the casting holding the rods should be checked for tightness on the back of the clock.

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

QUESTION: Ok. We did get the clock time set and the hour chime to chime in the hour. But the other chimes are still very soft. Can the chime mechanism be oiled? This clock has been idle for at least 14 years. Are there screws to adjust so it is louder?  Could there be a way to check the chime rods to see if they are loose or bent? thanks again. sure glad i found this website. It's a lifesaver!

Answer
the rods are not loose - they are either attached or broken off.
bent does not change the tone or volume.

If you can get to the mechanism thru a side panel you may spray the base of the hammer arms (4 of them in a row) with WD40 or similar-
DO NOT SPRAY ANYTHING ELSE! cover the backside of the hammer arm bases with a paper towel and prevent overspray. The hammers should drop promptly and not be seen to be gummy or slow to hit the rods.

advise if this solves your problem or not because there might be other forces at work- like wear in the hammer lifts, etc. Clocks sitting for a long time are not worn- just gummy and need oiling by a professional normally before they will run again- but you got it running so, hurrah!