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Clocks, Watches/Weight drive wall clock - Schmeckenbecher

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Expert: Martin Meyer - 1/23/2009


Question
Hi Martin :
I've been using a Schmeckenbecher clock with Hermle movement : 261-030A for few years. The following symptom happened after one recent winding :
The clock strike one every full hour only instead it should strike the number of hours !
What might be the cause and how to fix it ?
Regards,
David.

Answer

Rack and snail assembl
Hi David,

I assume that you mean the clock is striking one time at the half-hour also, and not that the hour and half-hour strikes are reversed.

This is a problem in the "rack and snail" mechanism which operates the strike. Adjustments of this mechanism can be quite difficult, and you will probably need the services of a professional clock specialist to correct it.

I have attached an illustration of a rack and snail mechanism; it is on an entirely different movement from yours, but the basic parts are the same.

When the clock prepares to strike the hour, the rack falls, and the rack tail comes to rest on the correct step on the snail for the hour that is about to strike. When striking occurs, the gathering pallet rotates, and the pin on the gathering pallet picks up ("gathers") one tooth of the rack for each hour struck, until the clock has struck the correct number of hours. At this point, the rack is fully raised again, and the rack hook drops into place, holding the rack up and stopping the striking.

In your clock, something is preventing the rack from dropping all the way to the step on the snail. This could be caused by quite a few different problems, involving either parts out of correct adjustment or wear in the movement. Diagnosis can be tricky, but a professional clock repairer should be able to identify the cause.  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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