Expert: Martin Meyer - 7/18/2008

Question
Hi

We received the above clock from my husbands grandmother.  It seem to have been made in 1978.  Ther are three knobs that can be winded.

the first one on the left won't turn.  The second and third one turns.  It keeps time but it won't strike or  chime

Can you help us make it strike and chime?

Dianne

Answer
Hi Dianne,

If one of the winding shafts won't turn, it is because it is already fully wound, and is not winding down because the clock is not chiming.

There are many possible causes of a clock's not chiming or striking. Without actually looking at the clock, I can't narrow down the possibilities. These causes include need for lubrication, wear in the movement's bearings, and jamming due to worn, damaged or incorrectly adjusted parts.

The average lifespan of this type movement is about 20 years, but that number varies widely from clock to clock. If your clock was made in 1978, there is a significant possibility that bearing wear is the cause of your problem. If you take the clock to a professional clock repairer, he can tell you if the movement is worn out, and lubricate it if it is not.

You can also try lubricating the clock yourself. You must use CLOCK OIL only, and put a tiny drop of oil at each point where a gear shaft enters a hole in the front and back main plates of the movement. You will need to remove the movement from the clock to do this.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com