Expert: William J Perkins - 12/12/2009

Question
QUESTION: I would really appreciate your expertise on my cuckoo mechanism of my Black Forest Cuckoo.   The clock is probably 20 years old and ran perfectly until it was packed improperly for moving.   Now you cannot wind the cuckoo.   I am able to remove the back and maneuver the chain manually.  Takes some time but I love the clock so I do this now and again just to get to use it.   It feels as though the mechanism is jammed somehow when you try to pull the chain to wind it.

Thank you in advance for any advice you might forward.

Joanna


ANSWER: When you maneuver the chain, or is it chains, doe you lift the chain over its cog a link at a time, or does the cog wheel turn, with your assistance?  Also is your clock a simple time and strike or does it have ancillaries, like a woodchopper, waterwheel etc.  Answers to these would help me arrive at a proper diagnosis  Regards  WJP

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: WJP:

1st:   The clock as two chains, the clock and the cuckoo.   No music or extra features.

2nd:   The cog wheel does not turn at all.   You must maneuver the chain of the wheel to advance the chain out the bottom of the clock.   The cuckoo will operate like this until it's time to wind again.   At that point, you must manually maneuver the chain back out the bottom of the clock.   It feels as if the mechanism is jammed in some way (I cannot find anything inside the clock that shouldn't be ther) or it is seized up.  

3rd:   The clock is currently operating (without cuckoo) but doesn't seem to be keeping the time properly.


I'm not sure how the cuckoo mechanism could have become seized.   It was operating fine until it was packed for moving without stabilizing the chains.  Since it has been unpacked, I can no longer wind the cuckoo by pulling on the chain.

Joanna


Answer
Examine the chain carefully to determine if any links are not uniform in shape.  Any misshapen links you find should be bent to conform with all the other links.  Use a pair of miniature long nose pliers for this task.  While this is probably not the problem it is most likely one of the roots.  I suspect a foreign object of some sort is interfering with the proper functioning of the winding cog wheel.  To correct this probability would require removal of the movement from the case.  If you do not feel confident in doing so, I suggest you take the clock to a clock repair person in your area.  I really don't believe this is going to be a large deal.  Once the problem is identified, a couple of tweaks will most likely take care of it.  As to the cuckoo side of the clock not working, the time telling side must be functioning in order to trigger a release allowing the function to perform.  In my opinion this problem is directly related to the lock up of the winding wheel.  Your observation about stabilizing the chains for a move is correct and cannot be over emphasized.  The preparation routine is quite simple.  Remove the pendulum, crown and any other parts that might become separated from the clock, wrap them separately in marked packages that are kept with the clock.  Remove and wrap the weights.  Using bread ties, tie the chains together as high up as you can.  This will keep the chains in their proper position until the clock is hung.  I sure hope this all works out for you.  Wish I were there to help you.  If you feel I might be of help, drop another line.  Regards WJP