Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 9/14/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi:

Gee, nice of you to do this.  I have my great uncles old
presentation hamilton westminster clock he got on retirment
in 1982.  I got the thing running and it is chiming fairly
well.  I am sure it is a cheapo but still the sentimental
value.  It is running slow.  There are two screws to either
side of the to and fro rotating thingy  i have have run the + screw all the way in   still about 10 minutes slow per
day.  Do I fiddle with the - adjusting screw too?

Thanks!

Tom Kline
tiverton rhode island

ANSWER: not a cheapo but the best German movement you can buy.

do NOT touch those two screws- they hold the silver balance assembly in the exact position it needs to be!

if you are turning the upper right threaded adjuster shaft clockwise then you are turning it to make it go slower.

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

QUESTION: Ken:  Gee thanks for the advice.  I will take good care of
the clock as we plan on keeping in our family.

Now back to the screws/threaded adjuster shaft.

I am not sure which is which.  On the surface of the back
just above the rotating device are two slotted ?screws, one
marked + (on the right) and one marked - on the left.  roughly at 2 o'clock position for the + and 11 o'clock for
the - screw?  or screw head   maybe these are the adjusting
shafts.  There is another screw head at about the 7 o'clock
position.  I have tried the the two slotted screw heads
+ and - but must have gone the wrong way!   I guess if the
clock is slow you turn the + screw counterclockwise?   and
if fast you turn the (-) screw  counter clockwise.

I am not sure where the screws are that hold the silver
balance.  I will not turn anything until I hear from you.

I am a physician so you want some free advice I am available
-- the old bartering system

tom kline

ANSWER: there is one adjuster only at the 1 o'clock location - the other two hold the balance unit in place - not to be moved! the + and - do NOT refer to two screws they are direction indicators only for the single adjuster shown in the upper right of the attached photo.

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

QUESTION: Ken:  wow how did you get that picture on there?  Anyway
my balance is a bit different/ the spring is on the vertical
shaft  looks like a ball point pen spring    the adjusting
screw on your drawing is not there   however there is a
screw head at 7 oclock at the bottom of the balance where it meshes with the escape wheel  i think i have it correct
Would this be the adjustment?

tom again kline

Answer
NO you have the older style floating balance and there is NO adjustment screw!

: Little tricky but..here is photo (below)of the regulating unit on the top rear of your clock movement- hold the rim of #6 while moving any one of the 3 prongs on #5 as far as it will go to the right with a pencil. This will make it go as fast as it can without overhaul.

http://www.members.aol.com/pendclocks/P1010055.gif