Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 4/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have put back into service a 1975 kit- 3 weight-Westminster grandfather clock with Keininger works. All was working well and chiming properly and I was zeroing in on regulating for accurate time keeping when all of a sudden the hour chimes went wacky. Totally erratic, they chime different numbers of times for different hours and with no pattern. When the rack drops, it appears to drop randomly, i.e., the rack will drop and stop at different points so that pin in the rack teeth dictates different numbers of chimes. In some literature I found, there is occasionally mention of a spring to compel the rack tail down but I don't see one here or evidence that there was one. It appears the rack drops by gravity alone. I have cleaned and oiled and all parts appear to move freely. As I said, the rack drops quite easily by way of gravity and I do not believe there is any dirt on it's axis. What I have noticed is that the tail appears to sometimes bounce off the snail and subsequently get stopped with the pin in various points in the teeth of the rack. Also, it looks as though the rack gets stopped on it's way to the snail sometimes and so therefore is positioned for the incorrect number of chimes. Working on my theory of a spring missing, I have done too things: 1) without moving the hands, I have lifted the hook off the rack, let it fully settle on the snail and then activated the chimes, and it's correct every time. (the lever pin on the tail does contact the correct cam on the snail) and 2) I have applied a gentle pressure on the tail of the rack with a finger when it is released (to simulate a spring) and this too assures proper placement and the correct number of chimes. So, strictly from a theory of operation standpoint, it does appear that a spring would solve the problem. Also, a small spring suddenly fatiguing and flying off somewhere could explain the sudden onset of symptoms. Do you know if a spring is employed or do all racks use gravity? Thanks.

ANSWER: most in last 50 years do not use a spring on the rack tail.

Sounds like not enough lift of the rack pin- If your movement looks like the attached photo then a large screwdriver can be used to widen the space shown so the upper arm lifts higher when the hour is initiated allowing the pin (not on the cam) to clear. Just a bit then try it. The rack has a brass round weight you can see in the photo to help it fall without need of a spring.

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QUESTION: Thanks so much. That seems to have done it. Now, from what I have read,there is nothing much to be done about the chimes (1/4 and hour)coming a 1-2 minutes before the minute hand gets there. Would you concur with that and if not, what options might be available to me? Thanks again.

Fixer5

Answer
the minute hand is two pieces - the hand and the center collet with the square hole in it. holding the hand and either with a square end of a file that fits the collet or a pair of pliers on the OD of the collet--rotate the relationship between the two so when put back on the minute hand shaft and the nut replaced, it makes you happy where it is pointing.