Expert: William J Perkins - 1/17/2009

Question
Hi, I wonder if you could guide me. I have this Spring wound clock with double strike chime. The whole movement looks fine, although the bells continue to strike random number of times , over 20 to about 50 every half hour.
However, When I manually turn the minute hand around every half hour it strikes the correctly for each hour, and once every half hour as it should be. Could this possibly ( I am guessing) be a missing wire spring to help the strike rack? or should there be a spring to slightly take the weight off the rack ? There is a hole half way in the rack which look like the end of a spring could fit in? pls help.. thanks Mike

Answer
Your suggest is a possibility, however the most likely probability is the clock needs cleaning and adjustment.  The normal effort of the clock is not sufficient to overcome inertia.  It takes the added pressure of your manually turning the hands to effect the desired action.  Again, your suspicions are a possibility.  I suggest you go to your local library and ask them to provide you with a copy of Phillip E Balcomb's book "The clock Repair Primer".  This book will provide you instructions and drawings that will help you find and effect resolution.  Regards WJP