Clocks, Watches/irregular chimes

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Expert: Martin Meyer - 5/14/2008


Question
Hi there -
I recently bought a Smiths Mantel clock in 'as-is' condition. It was fully wound but not chiming. As I loosened the body screws to check the movement, it began to chime! So I went no further, it keeps good time & chimes all the quarter hours with a Westminister sequence.
However it sometimes loses a strike at both 5.00 & 11.00, (i.e. only 4 x strikes at 5.00 & only 10 strikes at 11.00).
I notice the numbers are opposite each other & wondered if you could advise me what to look for once I have the movement out. NB. there was a tiny brass collett? in the casing of the clock, Thanks for any help

Answer

Rack and Snail
Hi Chuck,

Without actually examining the movement, I can't tell you specifically why your clock would miss a strike at those particular hours. However, your clock has a "rack and snail" strike mechanism (photo attached of a similar, not identical, movement). The rack is the part which causes the clock to strike the hours; an hour is struck each time the gathering pallet rotates and picks up a tooth from the rack. When the clock is preparing to strike, the rack hook releases the rack and the rack tail falls onto the step on the snail which will strike the correct number of hours.

If your clock is missing a strike, the cause is probably that the rack is not falling all the way down until the rack tail rests on the correct step of the snail. This can be caused by a number of different things, but I can't guess which one without seeing the clock.

To locate the problem, remove the hands and remove the movement from the clock. Then replace the minute hand and manually turn it to the hour strike point. Observe the rack tail dropping onto the snail, and try to determine what is preventing it from falling all the way onto the snail. The rack or rack tail may be hitting against another part, against the pin on the gathering pallet if the gathering pallet is rotate a couple degrees out of correct alignment, or against the rack hook if the rack hook is not lifting high enough to fully release the rack. The remedies to correct these problems may be easy to figure out, or may be quite difficult, and differ from clock to clock. If you're able to determine the problem but not the solution, please feel free to contact me with a follow-up question.
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    Commentthank you heaps - can't rate your knowledge & more importantly help, high enough! A nice descriptive process to follow. thanks again


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Martin Meyer

Expertise

Can answer repair and service questions for most types of clocks, antique and modern, mechanical and battery. NO watches, appraisals, identification, history, dating, or questions about cuckoo clocks. Website for Modern and Antique Clock Repair: Clockmasteronline.com

Experience

24 Years as owner and repairman of clock repair business, 28 years in the field. Factory Independent Service Center for Howard Miller, Ridgeway and (formerly) Sligh Clocks. Specializing in Fine Antique Longcase (grandfather) clocks. Clock repair Website: (Please remove "Not" from the address - this is a spam protection): www.NotClockmasteronline.com

Organizations
AWCI (American Watchmakers and Clockmakers Institute) and NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors)

Publications
Am also an Expert in the "AllExperts-Antiques-Antique Clocks" Category.

Education/Credentials
Trained by a former Rolex Asia watchmaker, and by a Master Watchmaker/Clockmaker.

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