Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 5/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: Sligh G'father clock made in 1986.  Model 0972-2-AN, Movement 312-004.  Has been in stable clean environment.  Professionally moved 3 times. Has always kept excellent time.  Over past year will stop running when weight wound to top (not tight, however.) Can eventually get it going if I keep setting the time and start the pendulum swinging.  It is getting harder and harder, that is, takes more "starts".  Sometimes, I can get it started by giving the second hand a little nudge or touch. Sometime I can do it by reaching into the mechanism and gently touching the stem to the second hand.  The mechanism seems very clean.  But could it be just a matter of needing to be cleaned, some worn part(s) or......?  Would it likely have worn parts already?  Thanks

ANSWER: second hand could be rubbing on the hole in the dial--you can test by just un-plugging the hand from the hole and run the clock without it to test.

give the pendulum an extra wide swing when starting - almost hitting sides and let it settle down by itself.

if these two do not solve problem - needs overhaul ( or replacement of the mechanism might be cheaper.)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the advice!  So far that seems to have solved the problem.
The obvious next question is Why?.  What happened? Why would it do that now? Can it be straightened so as not to rub?  
Would simply oiling it be the answer?  (I don't recall that it has ever been oiled, at least not more than once at the most.)
I do appreciate the help.

Answer
do not look for trouble if it is working. after 20 years these are living on borrowed time - save up for a new mechanism when it finally dies. Oiling would be a last resort and probably not the problem now- wait and get a pro opinion when you can't get it going with your new found skill in restarting the pendulum.


ADDITION:
Sorry I missed the rubbing question. Are we sure it was the rubbing of the second hand or was it the pendulum not ticking evenly? Sometimes the hand is pushed in too far and rubs the dial or is bent or the dial has shifted and the hole doesn't line up right or many other things. Try plugging the hand back on after a few weeks of sucess and then see if it stops promptly (can't hurt to see for sure- you can always remove the hand again)
When you need a pro finally, then have them look at the problem - save the hand in a marked letter envelope in the bottom of the case for that day when it comes.