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Clocks, Watches/Howard Miller Grandfather clock keeps chiming
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Question
No matter the hour, the chimes keep chiming until it runs down (weight drops to bottom). It chimes well over 30 times...and keeps going. Is there something we need to do other than call an expensive repairman? Thank you.
Pat, I can understand your feeling of and "expensive" repairman. I try to explain to my customers that we have to charge the going labor rates to keep our shops running. I have determined that maintenance on a clock runs about $25 a year in my area. That is based on a local $150 service call every 10 years including most parts. Depending on the conditions, the movement will have to be overhauled occasionally.
There are a couple of things that could cause your movement to continue striking. You said chiming, but most of the time I find that the problem in the strike mechanism with a part we call the gathering pallet pin, which has broken off. Other causes can be that a cam or lever has slipped out of alignment and will not catch to stop at the proper place. This can happen on the chime side also. I'm afraid an experienced clockmaker will have to look at it, one reason being that the dial will have to be removed from the movement to observe and resolve the problem. I sorry it isn't something simple.
FOLLOW UP ANSWER:
Pat, after reading your note on the rating feedback of the Allexperts, do not apologize for the comment about "expensive repairman". I don't apologize for my rates. Actually you will find that there are those that charge quite a bit less than I, and those that charge quite a bit more. As I explained before, it depends on the area in which you live, demand and the economy. If you will contact me at the email address below with the area in which you live, I will check to see if there are any of our Internet Clocksmith Group members near you. In answer to your question about me making house calls in California, yes I do, and I would charge you my regular rate. However, I'm afraid the travel time, mileage and expenses would probably be in excess of how much you would want to spend. 6>)
I'm sorry I did not sign my last post to you. That happened twice yesterday. There must be a glitch in the system. And thanks for the kind comments on the rating feedback.
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 personal email questions on a timely basis
other than Allexperts follow ups.)
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | When I commented "expensive" repairman, I didn't know you were in that category--I apologize. I like your way of averaging the cost of repairs over 10 years--that does make it easier to swallow. Indeed, it doesn't sound like a simple fix. Although I'm pretty handy, I'll leave this to you, the specialists. Do you make house calls? in California, lol. Thanks for the detailed information. Sincerely, Pat | ||
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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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