Expert: Michael Radi - 3/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: hi i brought a smiths mantel clock secound hand and the gong works when you move the hands around but the pengulam doesent move at all so its not working on its own and when you wind it with the key one side does not wind at all and the other only moves around a bit . does this mean its over wound? and why does the pengulam not work?

ANSWER: If the key only moves a small amount and won't wind any more the clock is wound all the way up. I don't call this over winding because it should not cause a problem with your clock being able to run.
There are too many reasons that your pendulum won't work for me to list here and diagnose without seeing the clock.
We can start with the basics.
When you swing the pendulum, do you hear the clock ticking?
If so, does the beat of the ticking sound evenly spaced in time or is it uneven? Like someone walking really fast?
If you take the pendulum off, does the clock tick on its own?
Michael

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QUESTION: the clock never seems to unwind on one side if you move the hands around alot one side unwides and you can wind it up again the other side just seems to be stuck it doesent unwide when the hands are moved. you can hear it ticking when you move the pendulum and it sounds like the ticking is in time but it doesent tick on its own with or without the pendulum.

Answer
One side is for the chime/strike, the other side is to power the pendulum. It will only unwind when the clock is ticking.
There are a lot of things that can cause the clock to not run properly. If the ticking sounds evenly spaced with the pendulum on but it will not keep running your clock may need to be serviced by a professional.
It could be as simple as oiling and adjusting the movement or it may need cleaning and/or rebuilding.
I could not tell you what is needed to make your clock work without inspecting it.
Michael
www.norkro.com
clock parts and service