Expert: Martin Meyer - 7/1/2008

Question
My minute hand is going quite slow,the hour hand appears ok.I have got to the back of the shaft which the minute hand is on and bent the brass spring(diamond shaped)as I was told this was probably weak.There is less slack in the minute hand now but it is still going slow.Should I get a new spring(probably not called a spring)What direction should the spring face and is it the cause of my problem.

tim

Answer
Hi Tim,

The mechanism that you are describing is usually found on antique clocks, so I will assume that this is the type of clock you have.

This part is called the "tension washer" or "tension spring". It should go on the center shaft at its base, just in front of the front movement plate. There should be a shoulder cut on the center shaft to hold the washer away from the front movement plate. The curve on the washer should face up, so that its tips press against the back of the gear at the base of the minute hand shaft.

On antique clocks, the minute hand is held on by a thick washer with a rounded outward face, and taper pin which goes through a hole near the tip of the center shaft. It should take considerable force to press this washer back far enough that you can insert the taper pin. The resistance comes from the compression of the tension washer. If it is very easy to press the minute hand washer back, then your tension washer is too weak.

Replacement tension washers are available from clock supply houses like Timesavers and Merritts Antiques. They may require some modification to make the center hole the correct size, and make their length correct.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com