Expert: Martin Meyer - 5/15/2008

Question
QUESTION: I finally got my grandfather clock running and keeping good time, but the only way it will chime and strike is if I move the minute hand manually.  I have checked that neither of the silencing strings are attached to the side of the cabinet hooks. All three of the weights are in the correct position. Is there anything else I should check for? (This is a homemade grandfather clock, no doors to get in to see what brand my father-in-law used back in the 70's.)

ANSWER: Hi Lu,

Since your clock chimes when you turn the hands manually, your problem is most likely stalling, rather than jamming. Stalling is usually caused by either the clock needing lubrication or by wear in the bearings.

You can have the clock lubricated by a professional clock repairer, and he can also look for wear in the bearings when he does the service call. You can also try lubricating the clock yourself by removing the movement, and placing a small drop of CLOCK OIL ONLY at each point where a gear shaft end (pivot) enters the front and back main plates of the movement. You will have to figure out how to remove the movement yourself, as there are many variations in construction, especially in custom-made clocks.

If the cause of the problem is bearing wear, you will need to have the movement replaced or overhauled. Replacement is the preferred repair when an identical replacement movement is available.

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

QUESTION: Martin,
Thanks for the prompt reply.  Since I sent the last question the clock has started to chime and strike, but only on the odd hours.  It is totally silent on the even hours.  Have you ever heard of one doing this? Thanks, Lu

Answer
Hi again Lu,

This is not a problem that I ever come across. Grandfather clocks usually have rack and snail strike mechanisms, and I can't think of any possible cause of this mechanism striking on only odd hours.

All I can suggest is closely observing the pattern of striking, and trying to find a more complicated pattern of striking errors. For example, does the clock strike intermittently, but not invariably only on odd hours. Also, observe the striking hammers (on the left side as you face the clock), and see if the hammers are sometimes lifting, but not falling far enough to contact the strike gong rods.

If you are able to access the front movement plate by removing the dial or by removing the movement from the clock, you can then turn the hands manually, and observe exactly what is happening when the clock strikes. Please refer to my previous answer with photo, "chuck - irregular chimes" for detailed information on the strike mechanism operation.

If any of these methods give you additional information about the problem, feel free to follow-up with another question, and I will try to provide more information for a solution to your problem.