Expert: Michael Radi - 11/25/2009

Question
Hello again, you've been helping me this morning with my Elgin Mantel clock. Last question I asked was how to correct the time gongs. You said, "Move the hour hand to whatever hour the clock is striking. Then use the minute hand to re-set the time." Well, I cannot manually move the hour hand without force. And when I move the hour hand, do I move it forward only; and can I pass the 1/4, 1/2, etc. chimes without letting them go through their routine?  

Answer
Yes, you should be able to push the hour hand forward or backward. When you move the hour hand nothing happens inside the movement so you can go either direction and through the quarters. If you are worried that the hand could break you will need to pull it off. It is on a tapered shaft and the further it is pushed down, the tighter it is.