Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 2/18/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am looking for both Mech.movements & Quartz movements to repair a damaged grandfather clock. The existing mech. movement is beyond repair. If I purchase FRANZ HERMLE Grandfather Clock Movement 351-020 with 5 hammers thru e bay, should I buy 5 segment chiming rods seperate? Which is the best store in internet to get Hermel chime Rods? How much approximate price? How many melodies does this mechanism can make?

ANSWER: seldom are movements beyond repair- who made the existing movement and what marks are on the back of it? you need a minimum of 8 hammers in one row to do anything other than Westmister chime. This might not be the best one to use-or the best place to buy it. why buy new chime rods???

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QUESTION: Dear Sir, The existing Mech. movement is damaged. The plates are damaged. I could not read the Marking on the plates. Oneway I am thinking to repalce with a Seiko/Hermle Quartz movement and attach a Heavy duty pendulum drive. Is this a good choice? Otherwise get a matching 5 segment chiming rods matching FRANZ HERMLE Grandfather Clock Movement 351-020. Where can I find the original Hermle spare available? Do you have their contact address/website/tel & fax nos? & approximate price ?

ANSWER: Oneway I am thinking to replace with a Seiko/Hermle Quartz movement and attach a Heavy duty pendulum drive. Is this a good choice?   NO




matching 5 segment chiming rods matching FRANZ HERMLE Grandfather Clock Movement 351-020. Where can I find the original Hermle spare available?

The 351-020 is a spring wound unit --this gives you the problem of match up the dial winding holes and the handshaft spacing to them.

You no longer have the old movement???Never in 36 years have I seen a movement with damaged plates--you hit it with a hammer?

Knowing what it was by the markings on the back would allow me to suggest a substitute. As it is I cannot help.

http://www.merritts.com/store4/public/productlist.aspx?Page=1&SearchText=hermle

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QUESTION: Dear Sir,
Millions of thanks for your kind help !!! What you have told is correct. If I purchase FRANZ HERMLE Grandfather Clock Movement 351-020 I will have problem with   key holes on dial etc. I saw your HERMLE Grandfather Clock Movement in Meriit website. But where I get spares chiming rods & a moon dial(24 x 24 x 33.5 & a ordinary 65 cm wooden stick pendulum & key & matching handles matching to those movements in Merit website?

Answer
where are you located? USA?

http://cgi.ebay.com/80-FRANZ-HERMLE-Grandfather-Clock-Movement-351-020_W0QQitemZ



http://cgi.ebay.com/FRANZ-HERMLE-MOVEMENT-GRANDFATHER-CLOCK-PARTS-1-BID_W0QQitem



http://stores.ebay.com/Mount-Vernon-Clock-Company_Dials_W0QQfsubZ136606015QQfrsr