Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 6/6/2009

Question
I have exactly the same problem as Robert Lusk on 5/17.  My grandfather clock,
which I just inherited is a Colonial and probably about 40 years old. It works
perfectly but only on odd hours. I hear the same click every quarter hour but no
chimes for the even hours. I have had a professional attempt to repair it, but to
no avail.

Answer
Guess you need a good repair person --not just a professional one!

Robert Lusk never got back with answers to my questions.
If you run the minute hand round and round a few hours - bet you find it strikes only on even hours from then on!

Not knowing the model or make of the mechanism itself (marked on the back of the mechanism) I can only generalise the problem area.

Simple failure to release the hour chime till the second time round with the minute hand. Release is begun with a partial release known inthetrade as "the warning". This occurs a few minutes before the hour and the chime train gears turn and rotate a bit and then are held till the hour for the final release. You are not getting the final release till the second try when the minute hand comes round again. Lift lever needs adjustment- something is rubbing- the stop pin on one of the gears is out of position after the warning occurs due to too much or not enough (most likely) rotation happening. or some combination.

Any professional who removes the mechanism so they can look at it closely and bench test it, ought to easily figure it out or they should go into another line of work. IMHO