Expert: Michael Radi - 7/29/2009

Question
QUESTION: good morning, yesterday bought a grandfather clock via private sale.  Don't know the make, it's a nice mid-line brand.  In the owners house it chimed on the half hour and hour.  Brought it home and it keeps time very well but cannot get it to chim.  Followed the instruction manual but not luck.  When I set the time it seems that when I pass 3 and 9 it 'trips' something internally but no sound and nothing on the half hour and hours.  Anything you can suggest would be appreciated.  Thanks.

ANSWER: If the clock is weight driven, put the heaviest weight on the right side as you face the clock. If it is a spring wind movement, be sure that it is wound up.
Let me know if neither of these scenarios helps you.
Michael
www.norkro.com
clock parts and repair

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

QUESTION: Hi Michael, I should have mentioned in the first email.  The weights are decorative, not functional.  The clock came with a key and I wound the two dials up clockwise until the key came to a stop.  The chime function worked at the house of the person I bought it from so I am wondering if something may have become dislodged during transport.  When I move the minute hand past 3 and 9 it seems to "trip / set" something but there are no sounds.

Answer
There are several things that could cause it to stop "striking". (Chiming clocks have 3 trains, yours only has two so it is a striking clock). It should strike once on the 1/2 hour and count the hours at the top. It sound like yours is trying to strike when the minute hand is at the 3 and 9 rather than the 12 and 6 but we can solve that after it gets striking again.
Can you reach up into the clock and move the hammer away from the gong? This may get the gears rolling again.
Another thing to try is to rotate the minute hand clockwise until both hands are straight up at 12:00.
To to beyond this you may have to access the movement. Is there an access panel on the side of the clock? If not you will need to remove the hands and face.
Let me know how it goes.
Michael