Expert: Martin Meyer - 1/22/2009

Question
Hi,My clock is over 50yrs old.There are three parts that needs to be wound up every 7 days.These are wound up but clock only goes for up to 30 seconds.If i move the minute hand the chimes still work.Help.

Answer
Hi Michael,

There are many possible causes of a clock's failure to run, but the three most common are 1) the pendulum is out of beat or the pendulum assembly is improperly connected, 2) the movement needs lubrication, and 3) the bearings in the movement are worn.

Please browse my previous answers for detailed and illustrated explanations of setting the beat and connecting the pendulum assembly.

Lubrication is best done by a professional clock repairer, but you may be able to do it yourself. On a mantle clock this will require removing the movement from the clock, and probably removing the hands and dial. You should apply a small drop of CLOCK OIL ONLY to each point where a pivot (gear shaft end) goes through a hole in the front and back main plates of the movement. The complete professional lubricating procedure involves a number of other points, but describing that would be beyond the scope of this forum, and lubricating the main points which I indicated will probably be sufficient to get the clock running, if lubrication is the cause of the problem.

Bearing wear can be easily diagnosed by a professional clock repairer. If the clock is fully wound, the beat is properly set and the pendulum assembly correctly connected, and the movement is properly lubricated, this is most likely the cause of the problem.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com