Expert: William J Perkins - 6/13/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello from Cape Town, South Africa.  I have a grandfather clock with a hermle movement.  It has westminster chimes but it sounds off tone on the third and last quarter.  I am not sure if it is only a variation of the westminster chimes.  It also has a strange "click" noise everytime it strikes.  Otherwise it runs perfectly.  I would appreciate your opinion.  To illustrate this, I have uploaded a video clip of the clock.  It is on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3Az06-y63g  Thank you



ANSWER: The clicking noise you hear prior to strike is the cocking of the train.  Several pieces of the mechanism are brought into position so that they release, at the exact moment, the wheels and gears required to properly announce the time.  As far as the sound is concerned, there are only 4 notes used to play Westminister.  The melody results from sequential changes directed by the chime train.  In view of your interest I suggest you take a look at some basic clock repair books.  Regards WJP

I was unable to play your video clip.  It said the video was not available.

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QUESTION: Thank you for the information.  Please try to view the video clip again.  Refresh the page a couple of times if it does not load.  The clicking noise is while it is striking and not prior to strike.  You will fully understand if you manage to listen to the video clip.

Answer
I finally was able to raise the video clip.  Unfortunately I was unable to hear the click you refer to.  I did hear your hammers are not hitting the chime rods with the same amount of force.  To correct you will need to adjust the hammer handles so that the force is equalized and that the hammers resonate at the same level.  You can do this with a pair of pliers.  To start bend all the hammers handles so the hammers all rest at 1/8" from its chime rod.  From that point you move the hammers into a position that yields the resonance you are looking for.  Hope this helps you, regards WJP