Expert: William J Perkins - 9/28/2008

Question
Hi, I have this 2 year old cuckoo clock. it keeps perfect time. but in the last month or so the cuckooing does not stop . i have to stop it by removing the weights. the silencing also does not solve the problem if done while it is cuckooing.
I would like to attempt to solve the problem myself. Are there books that help, specifically with hones cuckoo clocks ?. I am in Bombay, India and there are no reliable repair shops in town except one where he seems more experienced with other type of clocks and is far too expensive.
If there is  a book you can name, is it ok if i try it ?. I am no expert, but have so far learnt a) to set the beat b) to remove the movement and fix back. c) set the strike right etc. Is this something i can rise to ?

Answer
I commend the following book to you.  "THE BLACK FOREST CUCKOO CLOCK", by Karl Kochmann.  While the book is out of print it is still available.  Just before responding I found numerous listings in Amazon and American Book Exchange.  ABE has the more favorable pricing.  I believe this book to be not only a valuable technical resource be entertaining as well.  Hope this does it for you.  Regards WJP