Expert: John Newman - 10/23/2009

Question
83  Hermle black Forest Clocks 451-050H 94cm/66

My wife inherited a clock her grandfather built and I have read some old post but you always say send a picture... the movements seem to work yet the pendulum will not continue moving more that 7 to 8 min... the clock in plume and level and the weights are 4.4 on left and center and 6.8 on the right as you look at the clock... the tick tock or beat seems to be off not tick...toc...tic...toc... more tic.toc.....tic.toc      

also, how should the clock be lubricated and is spraying something like wd-40 into the movements wise (something I have not done by the way)

lastly... I noticed a manual on the Emperor Website for around 6 dollars.. do you know if this info is covered with in it in any detail... you would think in this day and age they would just post it in PDF form for convenience sake... ha ha

thanks Chris  

Answer
Chris, I don't always request a photo but most of the time that I do is for a few reasons.  One is that the customer cannot quite describe the problem, another is that they have a movement that is not a common on or easily identifiable.  Also they cannot find the information such as you have given.  We might actually need to exchange a photo, but let's cover a couple of things first.  What is happening in your case is that the pendulum is swinging on its own momentum and the clock is not really running.  The beat is off as you describe and needs to be set.  When the clock was moved it was probably knocked out of beat.  The pendulum hangs from a hanger which is a strap about 6" long.  It interfaces with the "crutch" that comes out of the top back of the movement.  The bottom has a foot on it that looks like a sewing machine foot or a pin with a head on it.  The foot or pin is connected to the hanger.  The hanger is attached to a suspension spring at the top which is held in the suspension post with a small thumb screw.  The suspension spring is easily crimped or broken and if it is, it needs to be replaced.  So, either the suspension spring is broken, the components is not hung or attached correctly.  This is the part when I ask to send me a photo or I send you one showing the proper configuration it everything is not completely understood.  It takes the place of the 1000 words above.  6>)  So, if the parts are hung correctly and nothing is broken, let's put it in beat.  To set it in beat, it is best to remove the pendulum the first time you do this.  This helps you understand what is happening. After that you can do it with the pendulum attached, and even after the clock has been moved back in position next to the wall.  And that can be done by reaching up inside the door and grasping the hanger.  It will be a blind adjustment, but it will come to you rather easily.  To set it in beat you can move the hanger to the left and right until you feel some resistance.  It should move equally from a vertical line.  Yours is probably not doing this.  You should move it to the resistance point on the side that is closer to vertical and then carefully slip it a little past that point.  Test it until it has even movement to both sides.  Whenever you make this adjustment it will take a few attempts to get it right on.  It does me!  After you put the clock back in position it possibly have to be done again, as the plumb might be off a little.  

The manual Emperor has should cover this to some degree.  I do offer a manual and it is a little higher, but I offer email and phone support with anything I sell.  As far as the physical manuals or PDF's, some people still don't have computer capabilities and some just like a nice manual.

One last thing.  The lubrication of clock movements is very precise and the proper lubricants, clock oil and grease have to be applied at the proper places ONLY.  Anywhere else or excessive application will attract and hold dust.  DO NOT spray the movement with anything, particularly Silicone or WD-40.  I will say that I personally think WD-40 is a great product for purposes intended, but spraying on clock movements is not one of them.  When a movement fails because of old lubricant, ground up steel and brass is contained in the gunk.  Spraying will soften the lubricants, but then the gunk just continues to grind away at the parts.  Also, many clock shops will not accept clocks that have been sprayed with these chemicals, or they will have additional charges because of the repeated wash cycles required to completely remove the chemicals.  Many chemicals are not compatible with the clock lubricants.

I hope this helps a little.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

Chris, just one follow up note.  Sounds like you adjusted the beat correctly.  Adjusting the rating nut at the bottom of the pendulum bob affects only the timing of the clock.  You tighten it to increase the running and loosen it to decrease.  Make sure the bob is seated firmly on the rating nut after each adjustment or it won't be accurate.  Briefly, you want to time the clock for a given length of time, such as a day and note the error.  Use a digital watch, quartz clock or a VCR, microwave clock or similar for a standard.  Note the amount of adjustment such as the number of turns, reset the clock and time it again for a day.  Keep doing this until it is keeping good time.  Remember, a mechanical clock is not going to be as accurate as the electronic standards, so a few minutes variation in a week's time is acceptable.  Good luck and if you have any more questions, get back withe me..

John Newman