Expert: William J Perkins - 8/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: William,

I have a 1960's vintage Colonial Grandfather Clock.  It has worked fine for many years although there have been times when we stopped it for various reasons.  It now keeps good time but I began noticing that one of the three weights (the left one) was not descending as quickly/fully as the other two.  I then noticed that the hour chime always chimes only once (it never progresses to two, three, etc. chimes on those hours.).

I am fairly mechanical but is this problem something I can attack or should I get the head to a repair person?

Thanks,

Jim Trepka
Cleveland, Ohio

ANSWER: I believe your clock needs cleaning.  If you are mechanically inclined and have the proper products at hand you might be able to perform a serviceable job.  I do, however, believe you would be better served by having the job done by a professional.  On the other hand if your clock is a Colonial brand, it more than likely has a Hermle movement, in which event you would be much better served by replacing the movement with a NEW, not rebuilt, replacement.  And, that, you could surely do yourself.  If you will gain access to the back of your clock and provide me with ALL the information that is stamped upon the clock movements backplate.  This could most likely provide me with the data I would need to recommend the precise replacement movement you would need.  If you wish to go that route, provide the requested information as a follow-up to this communication.  Regards WJP

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

QUESTION: William,

Here's another possible piece to the puzzle.  I was supplied with a tube of oil with the Colonial clock with the instructions to oil it once a year, one drop in each of the oil cups on the back and front plates.  I have since heard that oil attracts dust to the bearing and clogs it up.  Could this have added to the problem?

Also, was there something innately wrong with the Hermle movement?

Thanks,

Jim Trepka
Cleveland, Ohio

ANSWER: Quality and quantity are crucial to the lubrication process  One drop in each oil cup is far to much lubricant.  With to much lubrication it tends to drip down the plate, draining the pinion of crucial lubricant.  If that isn't enough the excess lubricant collects atmospheric dirt causing the lubricant to emulsify into a grinding compound.  You can imagine what that will do to the pivots and pinions.
In my opinion many of the movements produced by Hermle during the period you refer to were throw away movements.  When they begin to react to wear, replace them, don't repair them. Treated in this manner the movements were of good value.  But you could throw a small fortune away trying to keep them repaired.  Paradoxly, Hermle made some very fine movements in those days, they did not, however, end up in the very popular furniture store type clock.  These fine movements were meant for fine heirloom clocks.  I have installed premium Hermle's in many of my own customer, custom built clocks.
Again the information stamped on your clocks backplate should be most helpful.  Regards WJP

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

QUESTION: William,

Thanks for the additional information.  I'll pull the clock apart to get the backplate information and send that to you.

Jim Trepka

Answer
Whoa!!  You do not neeed to pull the clock apart, all you need do is to remove the upper back cover.  If your clock has side inspection panels you won't even have to do that.  Simply move the inspection panels out of the way and use a mirror to read the backplate.  Regards WJP