Expert: Harold Williamson - 10/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
My family and I just moved to a new home and my husband moved
my grandmother clock, it was my mothers from 1974. He took off the weights and pengelum and we set it up last night and it chimes and keeps time but is does not make the tick tock sound.  Is there a way to turn it back on?

Thank you,
Susan

ANSWER: The ticking of a tall clock is a sound it makes as it captures the escape wheel and releases the wheel.  It is not a function that can be turned off and on.  Some are very faint and sometimes it is drowned out by other noises in the room.

On some clocks it is a sign that there is old lube or wear that will soon need attention.  If it is running and chiming/striking ok then the sound you hear is as good as it will get.  

Sorry but sometimes I wish my clocks had a tick shut off.  

Hope this helps.

Harold Williamson
fulltimeclockrepair@gmail.com
919-304-7651
Mebane, NC

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It was ticking last week before we moved it.  Does this mean it was damaged from the move?  I sure hope not.

Thanks again,
Susan

Answer
If the clock is running then I just don't know what to tell you as to why you cant hear it tick.  The tick is a by product of the clock running.  This is a problem I have never heard of in my 20 years as a clocksmith. There would be no damage.
Sorry I am of no help.  If you find out I would like to know where the tick went.

Harold