Expert: Martin Meyer - 4/15/2008

Question
QUESTION: HELLO I HAVE A HORMEL 70  77  451 050 85CM  AND I'VE TRIED TO GET THE STRIKE ,OR EVEN THE START OF THE CHIME TO START AT THE VERY TOP OF THE HOUR BUT THE CLOSEST I'VE GOT IS A MINUTE AFTER. AM I BEING TO FUSSY, OR CAN THIS BE FINE TUNED.. THE CLOCK IS IN GREAT SHAPE  NO PROBLEMS AT ALL

ANSWER: Hi Leonard,
    You can adjust the minute hand to point exactly to the hour when the clock strikes.
    First, remove the hand nut that holds the minute hand on its shaft, then pull the minute hand straight off. You will see a round center bushing with a square hole on the minute hand. This bushing is press-riveted on, and can can be adjusted. Insert a small screwdriver or square-sided awl into the square hole in the minute bushing, so that it holds tight in the bushing. Then turn the bushing while holding the hand steady, so that it rotates a tiny amount. Then replace the hand and turn  it to a chime point to check its position when the clock chimes.
    This is a delicate adjustment that is done in very tiny amounts, and it will take several adjustments before you get it to point exactly to the hour (or other chime point) when the clock chimes. Getting it perfect is quite difficult, and the generally accepted tolerance is + or - 20 seconds.

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

QUESTION: THANKS FOR YOUR HELP, BEFORE I BEGIN  THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTOOD ME .IF I PHYSICALLY MOVE THE HOUR HAND TO LETS SAY ADVANCE THE TIME IT MUST PASS THE TWELVE O CLOCK POSITION BY APROX.3/16 BEFORE YOU HEAR A CLICK THAT STARTS THE HOUR STRIKE.UNFORTUNATELLY THE 1/4 INTERVALS  ARE   ALWAYS EXACTLY RIGHT( BY MOVINGING THE HOUR HAND YOU HEAR A CLICK THAT STARTS THE CHIMES EXACTLY ON CENTER OF ALL 1/4 INTERVALS.) ITS ONLY AT THE HOUR STRIKE THAT THE MECHANISM IS ACTUATED APROX.3/16 PASS THE 12 O CLOCK POSITION

Answer
Hi again Leonard,
    First, I think you're referring to the minute hand, not the hour hand, in your above question. The time is always set by the minute (long) hand, never by the hour hand.
    The point at which the clock strikes any quarter (including the hour) is determined by a 4-pointed star-shaped wheel mounted on the minute hand shaft on the front plate of the movement. This star wheel is not adjustable.
    If your clock strikes at exactly the right point on the first three quarters, but late on the hour, then you have a problem which is not easily corrected. Your movement was made in 1970, which is far past its expected lifespan (very roughly about 20 years). It is likely that either the hour point on the star, or the chime warning lever (the part that the star lifts) is worn, and so is not releasing when it should.
    Replacing the star wheel is a very difficult operation, as it is press-fitted extremely tightly onto the minute hand shaft, and requires much disassembly, as well as special tools, to remove. On a movement as old as this, there is undoubtedly wear in many other parts, and spending the money to have the star wheel replaced would not be a good investment. In short, I think the best solution would be either to replace the entire movement or just put up with the error in hour striking.