Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 7/30/2008

Question
QUESTION: We have an early 1900's weight driven grandfather clock, and recently had it serviced. It ran fine for 2 months - we then went away for a week and when we returned the clock was stopped as the weights had run out. I rewound it  - the hour strike worked fine and the clock kept time just fine, however the 1/4 hour chimes would not work. We have been told that when we go away that we must stop the clock so that the weights don't run out - if we do then the chimes will stop working. This doesn't make a lot of sense to me , otherwise every time a clock runs out it would require a repair visit. My question  - is this correct?

Thanks for your reply.

ANSWER: some older clocks have quirky methods of chiming and striking. More info is needed to figure out what is going on. The chimes might stop but no clock was ever designed to require a repair visit for these situations. The repair person who knows this clock should be able to tell  you on the phone how to get it going again or in person if necessary at no charge next time they are in your area.
When you say you "had it serviced" what did that entail?? cost?

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

QUESTION: Thanks for your prompt reply. The clock was removed from its' case and taken away for a complete servicing and repair. We were charged $50.00 for the examination visit and $600.00 for the repairs and oiling of the mechanisms. The repair person came back and said he would have to take the clock back again as he couldn't get the chimes working on site. That's when we were told that they quit working because we let the weights wind down while on vacation, and that it wasn't anything he did and it would cost another $50.00 or there about.

Hope that helps - again thanks for your reply. I feel that perhaps we are being taken advantage of.

Answer
"I feel that perhaps we are being taken advantage of."

You are dealing with incompetent clock repair people.
NO clock mechanism is supposed to seize up if the weights are allowed to run down! If they do by bad luck, it should be a simple on-site adjustment to get it going again.  They should have been able to fix it on site and told you what to do to fix it in the future, should it happen again.
Speak to the owner, Unless they had specifically warned you about winding the clock before they ran down, then they should waive the $50 and you should avoid having the weight run out in the future.

If a chain driven clock have them shorten the center chain so it will quit running before it quits chiming!