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Clocks, Watches/Old German cuckoo clock repair

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Expert: Martin Meyer - 8/11/2008


Question
I want to know the correct placement of the cuckoo wires.

Peace,

Harold Finney

Answer

Cuckoo Movement
Hi Harold,

There is a number of wires inside cuckoo clocks, but I think you are probably referring to the wires that connect the bellows to the movement.

The placement of these wires varies among different movements, especially in the case of antique and semi-antique (pre-WWII) cuckoos, but the most common arrangement, especially in modern cuckoos, is as follows:

First, note that the "cuckoo" sound consists of a high note first, then a lower note. The wires must be installed so that the bellows that makes the higher note will sound first. In most modern cuckoos, the bellows that makes the higher note is the one on the right, as you look at the movement from the back. The wire from this bellows generally connects to the lower of the two wire/levers on the movement. The bellows on the left generally connects to the higher of the two movement wire/levers.

The two bellows wires are sometimes of different lengths, and sometimes the same. If they are different, the longer wire generally connects to the bellows on the right. This is because the levers on the movement are usually on the left side of the movement, so the right bellows wire has farther to go than the left one. A photo of a modern cuckoo movement is attached to help illustrate this arrangement.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com

Martin Meyer

Expertise

Can answer repair and service questions for most types of clocks, antique and modern, mechanical and battery. NO watches, appraisals, identification, history, dating, or questions about cuckoo clocks. Website for Modern and Antique Clock Repair: Clockmasteronline.com

Experience

24 Years as owner and repairman of clock repair business, 28 years in the field. Factory Independent Service Center for Howard Miller, Ridgeway and (formerly) Sligh Clocks. Specializing in Fine Antique Longcase (grandfather) clocks. Clock repair Website: (Please remove "Not" from the address - this is a spam protection): www.NotClockmasteronline.com

Organizations
AWCI (American Watchmakers and Clockmakers Institute) and NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors)

Publications
Am also an Expert in the "AllExperts-Antiques-Antique Clocks" Category.

Education/Credentials
Trained by a former Rolex Asia watchmaker, and by a Master Watchmaker/Clockmaker.

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