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Clocks, Watches/Emperor Grandfather Clock

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Expert: - 10/1/2009


Question

Emperor Clock Back
I have read articles you have written about Emperor Grandfather clocks and I need some help.  I have an Emperor Model 101 Grandfather Clock with 8 day weight driven, chain wind, full Westminster chimes.  Movement is made by Hermle Black Forest Clocks #451-050H - 94 CM/66.  The clock has been in storage for 7-8 years, during which time it was transported a couple of times.  In starting the clock up now, it will only run approximately 3-4 minutes.  The problem, as I see it, is that the pendulum does not swing equidistance left and right.  Looking at the back of the clock movement ( as per attached picture) the slot on the shaft for the suspension spring is not exactly straight up and down, but rather is  somewhat slanted, which appears to me to be the reason the pendulum does not swing its full arc.  My questions basically are:  (1) Does this make sense and (2) if so, how do I adjust the shaft so that the slot is straight up and down?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Richard, you gave me a very good description of the problem and the information I needed, along with a photo showing the back of the movement with the problem.  First, I have never seen a suspension post off this far as far as the slant is concerned.  However, I'm not sure this is what is causing the uneven swing, as the length and weight of the grandfather pendulums (we usually refer to this model movement as a grandmother# would usually overcome the equidistant swing.  The unequal distance left to right could be a result of the clock not being level.  With the modern movements, there is an adjustment that you slip to correct the beat even though the clock itself is not level.  This feature is helpful if the clocks is in a room with walls that are not plumb.  But let's go ahead and correct the problem and see if we can get it set up properly.  First thing to do is correct the suspension post slant.  The whole assembly is called the suspension bridge.  It consists of the suspension post, the front A-frame and the rear A-frame which also has the bushing #small hole) for the back pivot of the verge assembly.  That is the part that rocks back and forth.  Very carefully use a pair of standard pliers that can grip the suspension post.  It would be best NOT to use flat jawed pliers such as needle-nose.  Grip the suspension post in the middle and rotate it until the slot is vertical.  If done carefully, the suspension spring and hanger, etc. will not have to be removed.  I don't know what caused the suspension post to become misaligned, but if it is loose I would put a small drop of super glue where the post is attached to both A-frame pieces.  Once this has been done, start the pendulum.  You should hear an even beat, like tick....tock....tick....tock.  If it goes tick..tock......tick..tock, it is out of beat and will stop.  To correct this we do what is called "slipping the verge".  Remove the pendulum so you can get a better feel for what you are doing.  Once you understand what is happening you can do this with the pendulum attached.  Gently move the hanger (the brass strip than hangs from the suspension spring) left to right until you feel some resistance and observe if it moves further to one side than the other from vertical.  The verge is actually being slipped.  If it is not even, you can slip the hanger past the resistance point to obtain a balanced swing.  The hanger is actually connected to the verge Now replace the pendulum.  BTW, before doing this you might want to check the top pendulum hook.  From your photo it looks like one of the hook fingers might have been bent outward.  Or it could just be the angle of it in the photo.  If it is bent, form it back so both fingers are equally in place.  Start the pendulum and listen for the beat.  If it is still a little uneven, you can readjust it as you did above.  It might take a few tries (It does me) to get a good beat.  When the clock is put back against the wall, the beat might be off again, as the level might have changed a little.  Now the beat can be set by reaching up a little and using the pendulum to slip the verge.  This way you don't have to move the clock every time you make this adjustment.

If the clock still doesn't run, it could be that the lubricants have become hard or gummy during the rather long period of storage and it would need to be serviced.  The modern production clocks should be serviced every 7 to 10 years.  This includes cleaning, inspecting for worn or broken parts and repairing, lubricating and adjusting.  If you are still having problems, get back with me and we'll look at some further causes.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com  

(General Note:  Due to the commitment I have for answering Allexperts questions and follow-up information,
and the excessive backlog at my shop, I regret that I cannot answer other questions from
this email address in a timely manner)

John Newman

Expertise

As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.

Experience

One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.

Organizations
Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee

Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.

Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)

Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama) Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)

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