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Question
I have a welby mantle clock that the chimes are not chiming in the proper sequence.I will tell you in the beginning of november i moved the minute hand ahead to reset for standard time and stupidly did not wait for the chimes to chime at every quarter hour,now on the hour it will chime for 3/4 hour and the next hour the proper hour. Sometimes it will chime for either the 15 minute properly, well any way the sequence is all wrong. I have tried resetting it by moving the minute hand to the minutes it has chimed but that doesnt seem to work, i just recently let it stop and tried to set it but now it chimes the 3/4 hour on the hour and the next turn (manually with the minute hand)around it will chime the correct hour on the hour. HELP I love this clock!
June, Welby used different movements in their clocks. As I don't have any information on the make or model of the movement, I am going to give you some general instructions on aligning the hands. If this doesn't work, I'll need the information found on the back plate of the movement and possibly a photo. Here are the instructions:
You do not have to stop the clock to go through this procedure. DISREGARDING the position of the hands, turn the minute hand through the quarters until the hour chime (16 notes on the Westminster tune) plays and the hour strikes. Count the number of strikes. At this point do not move or turn the hands. If the minute hand is pointing to the 12 do not remove it. If it is not pointing to the 12, remove the minute hand nut and minute hand. Reinstall the minute hand pointing to the twelve, install and tighten the hand nut. I always use a pair of pliers to SLIGHTLY tighten the nut a little tighter than hand tight. This keeps it from loosening later. If the hour hand isn't pointing exactly to the hour, slip it around to the hour that just struck. Now, using the minute hand, set the clock back to the correct time. That should do it. Let me know if that works and if you have any more questions, get back with me.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
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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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