Expert: William J Perkins - 6/16/2009

Question
The clock seems to keep time but does not chime.  When I look through the back of the clock on the hour when  it should chime I can see the the striker go up and down but it does not reach the coil that would make the chime sound. Do these clocks have a silence lever or is it broken?
Thank you.

Answer
While the clock is at rest, between strikes, stop the clock.  Bend the hammer handle till it is 1/8 inch away from the gong coil.  Start the clock and await results.  If the clock strikes, albeit, sounds badly.  You have made progress.  To eliminate the clunking sound bend the hammer handle in increments of 1/8 inch until you achieve the desired sound.  If this doesn't work for you, give me the results form this effort and we will take another approach.  Regards WJP