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Clocks, Watches/mylong hand on my howard miller clock fell off
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Question
Can I put the long hand back on with the little screw thing and have it work correctly if given the instruction on how to do it, plus my chimes have been off - 7 rings for 8 and 8 rings at 8:15 - can you help? Right now I am more concerned with reattaching the long hand. I thank you for any help you can offer.
Lauren, to synchronize the hands for the correct operation, follow these steps: The minute hand (long one) will fit on the square minute hand shaft in four different positions. Only one is correct. The way to determine the correct one is to install it temporarily on any of the positions and move it forward, letting each chime complete it's tune until the hour chime has finished and the hour has struck. Count the number of strikes. Now slip the hour hand to the hour that just struck. This positions the hour correctly. As the minute hand was installed at any position, it might not be pointing to the 12. At this point do not turn anything. If the minute hand is not point to the 12, remove it and replace it in the 12 position. Now install the hand nut and tighten. I usually use a pair of pliers to carefully tighten the nut a little tighter than hand tight, but not too much. This will help keep it from loosening in the future. Then turn the minute hand to reset the clock to the correct time. The chimes might not be in sync, but they should correct within one to two hours. If you have any more questions get back with me. Good luck.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com
(Due to the number of Allexperts questions and
the workload I have at my clock shop, I regret
that I cannot answer emails on a timely basis
other than Allexperts follow ups.)
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Answers by Expert:
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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