Expert: Michael Radi - 2/6/2009

Question
I purchased a Mason Sullivan movement for a clock I built about 20 years ago.  The paper work shows model 7206 B but the info on the clock has the following numbers 406503 and UW 03030B.  I believe that the suspension spring may be the problem because it always ran good until about two weeks ago.  I checked the level and it was a little off so fix that problem but it still will not run long, in fact it ran for about three days before stopping before I leveled it and now it only runs a few hours.  I plan to clean and oil it but I still want to purchase at least one spare suspension spring.  Thanks for your help.
Roger

Answer
You may have knocked the clock out of beat. The first thing to do is listen to the ticking. The ticking sound should be evenly spaced in time, like a metronome. If the ticking is uneven the clock is out of beat.
Some Urgos (manufacturer of your movement) movements have auto beat escapements. To put them in beat you simply give the pendulum a big swing. Don't let it hit the inside of the case but make it swing as wide as possible.
The suspension springs don't wear out. They are only damaged through some sort of trauma. If you took the pendulum off or moved the clock, the suspension spring may have been damaged.
Oiling the clock every 2 years is a really good way to keep the clock from wearing out prematurely.
We sell both the suspension spring and oil for your clock on our website.
Michael
www.norkro.com