Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 8/12/2008

Question
Hi;
I have a 22 year old Oxford Regulator I built from a kit. The past several years, if I wind the weight to the top, the clock would stop after a few minutes. After many attempts to start the pendulum, it would then run fine. I assumed that, for some reason, that fully wound, the weight would not pull as strongly as when it runs and lowers a bit. However, recently, the clock stops even if I only wind it halfway. I hve been diligent in oiling it correctly for 22 years, and was wondering if you had any suggestions. Could it be that the suspension pillar bridge screws have come loose? The suspension spring seems to be ok, and when I start the pendulum, it does beat unevenly. WHen it does get going though, it beats evenly.

Answer
set the beat after pulling up the weights by getting the pendulum swinging as wide as possible just before hitting the sides- then let it settle back to normal on its own. The escape anchor has a slip clutch built into it that will find its own center- unless of course you have been oiling IT for 22 years, in which case it is toast by now and that is the cause of your problem.