Expert: William J Perkins - 7/18/2008

Question
I picked you because my bird is named Perkins:)  Hope you can help.  I bought 2 anniversary clocks at a garage sale and they are wound as tight as they can go.  Hence, they don't work.  Is there a way to make them unwind?  The balls turn for about a minute when I move them, and on one clock, the minute hand won't go round, it's loose.  They are the German make, Kundo, I think it's spelled.  One is about 8" and the other about 12", both with glass domes and metal balls and are key wind.  Thanks, I love them, they're beautiful.

Answer
Give Perkins a chirp hi for me.  Your statement suggest to me that your clocks are in dire need of the services of a qualified clock repair person.  The condition you describe as, "wound as tight as they can go is a symptom of the real problem, not cause.  I believe the escapement assemblies of both clocks need adjustment.  The adjustments required should always be done by a qualified person.  Once done, and you being instructed as to how you should handle the clocks they should give you many years of service.  Regards WJP.