Clocks, Watches/Hermle 141-040K

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Expert: Martin Meyer - 5/4/2009


Question

Coil gong
Martin,
I hope both drawings come through ok. If they do you can see that the location dimensions are different.
Regards,
Bob Poerstel

Answer
Hi Bob,

Allexperts apparently allows only one picture to be sent per message, so I only received one. However, I believe I can answer your question anyway.

The positioning of the coil gong is not critical. You can mount the gong wherever it will be in the best position to contact the strike hammer. The picture that I received shows the gong in "Illustration 4, Back view shown". The contact point between hammer and gong as shown there is ideal; the hammer will strike the gong at the beginning of its curve. This is not a critical dimension; you have some leeway here, but don't want the hammer hitting the gong far along its curve, where it will be vibrating a lot once the hammer has hit it for the first strike.

Remember also that the hammer wire is soft brass and can be bent for the final adjustment. The at-rest clearance of the hammer face from the gong should be 1/16" to 1/8".

Other mounting details would be 1) the gong should not be so close to any part of the clock case or movement that it hits that part once it gets vibrating after multiple strikes (on higher numbered hours); 2) remember that most of the sound and all the resonance comes from the case of the clock, not the gong itself. The case acts as a sounding board, just like in an acoustical guitar. Therefore, you want the gong mounted securely on the case back with no looseness or vibration, and no shims between the case back and the gong mount. This goes for the whole case as well; you don't want any loose joints between panels that could cause unwanted secondary vibrations and ruin the resonance of the gong.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com
    Questioner's Rating
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    CommentMartin, Thank you for your response. Your information was most helpful and I appreciate the quick response. Regards, Bob Poerstel


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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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