Expert: William J Perkins - 4/27/2008

Question
Mr. Perkins,
I was given a Ridgeway and i'm having problems getting it to run. As i'm facing the clock the left chain does not hold the weight, it simply pulls it down when attached. Can I do something to get it to hold in place? The mechanical part number is 451-053H 94/66.

Answer
Although it sounds facetious try hanging the weight on the other end of the chain.  If that does not work then look at the next higher probability.  Each of the chain drive gears contains a ratchet and click spring that allows the chain to pull through to wind and, by virtue of the ratchet click, the gear can only unwind by the power of the weight being released by impelling the other gears in the train.  Since you are speaking of the left train, as you face the clock, you are talking about the chime train. which also requires the heaviest weight.  If the ratchet moves freely in both directions, up or down, the click is not engaging the ratchet.  This may be because the click is defective in some manner or the click spring is not causing the click to engage the ratchet after passing a tooth of the ratchet gear.  You will have to remove the movement from its case to see the action and to make corrections.  Since your movement is a Hermle 451-053, the entire winding gear would have to be removed to effect repair, unless it is a simple matter of repositioning the click spring.  In which case, you could fashion an appropriate tool from a piece of wire.  You would use the other functioning winding gears of the clock as the model as to how to position the spring.  If it is not a matter of putting the click spring in its proper position I would suggest you take the movement to a qualified clock repair person to have such work done.  Regards WJP