Expert: William J Perkins - 11/19/2009

Question
I have a Tempest Fugit Grandfather Clock and the problem is that it strikes/chimes 4 minutes past the hour instead of chiming on the hour, also goes for the quarter chimes.
How can I adjust to chimes correctly.
I look forward to hearing from you ASAP.
Kind regards
Terence

Answer
You need to reposition the minute hand.  To do so proceed as follows; Stop the clock.  Remove the nut that secures the minute hand to its shaft.  Remove the minute hand.  (note the position of the hand with respect to its position on the time track)  Turn the hand over so you can see the back side of the hand.  You will note that the square hole that fixes the hand to its shaft is in the form of a pressed fit bushing.  Slip the hand onto the tang of a file until the hand is reasonably tight on the file tang.  While holding the file securely turn the hand a distance that would be equal to four minutes on the dial.  Remove the hand from the file tang and test fit it to the minute hand post.  Say for example you had stopped the clock at 4 minutes after an hour, if you have done the job properly the should be pointing directly to 12.  If it doesn't put he hand back on the file tang and turn it until you get it to point at 12.  Once you have done this, put the hand back on its post and secure it in place with the hand nut.  Start the clock.  You will have put the minute hand into synchronization with the chime and strike trains.
But of course the clock is now four minutes + slow.  Set the clock, in the normal manner to the correct time.  You are done.  
Incidentally, Tempus Fugit is a dial style and is a Latin term for Time Flys.  You can find the name of your clock either stamped or etched onto the clock movements brass backplate.
Regards WJP