Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 5/23/2009

Question
I have just got an Ingraham mantle clock. It rings a bell on the half hour and is supposed to strike a gong on the hour. It strikes, but the gong seems to just clank. the previous owner said the gong was pleasant. Is there a way to make the gong not clank and sound like a gong?

Answer
sure.

make sure the gong itself is anchored to the wood securely - most often with a big nut on the underside of the clock.

the hammer head most likely had a piece of leather insert in the end and that may be missing or worn down so you have metal to metal when the head hits the gong. bend the hammer shaft wire as needed to line it up on the gong for a clean direct hit.It should rest about 1/8" away from the gong. sometimes the hammer head is held on by a set screw and you can remove and replace the leather easily- other wise the mechanism has to be removed to get at it for replacement.