Expert: Martin Meyer - 12/30/2009

Question
Received clock for Christmas but the chime is not crisp and clear, do I need to do or can I do something to adjust the chime.

Thank you,  

Answer
Hi Joyce,

The chime hammers probably need adjustment. There are usually small doors on the sides of the clock which provide access to the movement (occasionally a panel on the back instead). The chime hammers on the left (as you look at the clock) will move as a single unit; the ones on the right move individually. The hammers are mounted on soft brass wires which can be gently bent to adjust. The adjustment position you want is for each hammer to be directly centered over its corresponding chime rod, and for the at-rest clearance between the hammer and the rod to be between 1/8" and 1/16". Within this range, you can make fine adjustments to perfect the sound. But please note, especially if you are a musician, clocks are not musical instruments and will never provide the accuracy of notes that an instrument would.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com