Expert: William J Perkins - 7/20/2008

Question
Hi there - i've recently tried to have a go at restoring the above clock which would only run for about 2 hours at a time. I stripped it down, ultrasonically cleaned everything and put it back together.  The clock will only run if I remove one of the screws from the bracket holding the escapement and slide it up a fraction (effectively seperating the escapent from the gear wheel a tiny bit) - then the clock will run for about a day even though there feels like plenty of tension still in the mainspring. Any ideas why this odd bodge might be helping and what the main problem might be?

Thanks - Phil (a total beginner!).

Answer
I suspect you have an escapement problem.  You need to alter the relationship between the verge and the escape wheel.  You apparently wish to learn clock repair skills, to that end, I commend the following book to you.  It is a beginners handbook.  "THE CLOCK REPAIR PRIMER by Phillip E Balcom"  I believe you would find this book invaluable.  Chapters 5 & 8 deals with your problem.  During my days of teaching horology this book was part of the curriculum.  I wish you well, regards WJP