Clocks, Watches/Wentworth 31 day

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Expert: Martin Meyer - 4/19/2009


Question
on every hour it chimes 12 times. How can this be fixed to match the hour.

Answer

Rack and snail assembl
Hi Jeff,

Your clock has a "rack and snail" striking mechanism. I have attached a photo to help explain. On the hour, the rack is supposed to fall until the the rack tail comes to rest on one of the steps of the snail. The step determines which hour is struck. Only the deepest step will make the clock strike "12". This mechanism is on the front plate of the movement, so you will have to remove the dial and hands, and probably remove the movement from the clock, to access it.

In the case of your clock, the rack is dropping all the way down at every hour, so the rack tail is not contacting the snail where it should. Among the possible causes of this are a damaged rack tail which is missing the stud which contacts the snail, or a snail moved too far forward on its shaft (the hand shaft) so that the rack tail misses it when it falls. These are only a couple of possibilities, and you will have to examine the mechanism closely when it strikes to determine exactly what is causing the problem. This is a fairly difficult problem to diagnose, and you may want to consider having a professional clock repairer do the work. http://www.clockmasteronline.com

Martin Meyer

Expertise

Can answer repair and service questions for most types of clocks, antique and modern, mechanical and battery. NO watches, appraisals, identification, history, dating, or questions about cuckoo clocks. Website for Modern and Antique Clock Repair: Clockmasteronline.com

Experience

24 Years as owner and repairman of clock repair business, 28 years in the field. Factory Independent Service Center for Howard Miller, Ridgeway and (formerly) Sligh Clocks. Specializing in Fine Antique Longcase (grandfather) clocks. Clock repair Website: (Please remove "Not" from the address - this is a spam protection): www.NotClockmasteronline.com

Organizations
AWCI (American Watchmakers and Clockmakers Institute) and NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors)

Publications
Am also an Expert in the "AllExperts-Antiques-Antique Clocks" Category.

Education/Credentials
Trained by a former Rolex Asia watchmaker, and by a Master Watchmaker/Clockmaker.

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