Expert: Martin Meyer - 8/10/2009

Question
QUESTION: I just installed a new La Rosa #1050-020 movement in my Linden Mantel Clock. The movement I replaced was the original and would no longer operate in the time mode. The chimes worked and sounded fine. The new movement runs well, chimes at the correct times, and strikes the correct "notes". However, the quality of the chime sounds is terrible. There is no resonance. The sound is more of a "thud" with little or no tone quality. I did remove the chime assembly to see if there was some "adjustment" available with respect to the fall of the chime hammers. Finding none, I did some very minor adjustment of the hammers themselves. They appear to fall correctly on the chime rods; the sound quality is the issue. The sound does not approach the quality of the sound generated by the original movement. Any and all advise is appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi Dick,

Your clock is making this sound because the chime hammers are too close to or resting on the chime rods. Every new movement must be adjusted so that the hammers have the correct clearance from the chime rods, and are lined up directly over their respective rods so that the hammers strike dead-on and not off-center on the rod. When this adjustment is correct, the hammers will strike the chime rod, then rebound from it so that the rod is free to resonate.

The adjustment of the hammers is made by carefully bending the hammer shafts. You must be very careful that you do not bend the shafts at or near their bases. Hold each shaft firmly with a small pliers a short distance out from the base. Hold the pliers still while you bend the shaft to its correct clearance and position. Using this method, you will be bending the shafts only on the outer two-thirds of their length. The hammers should have an at-rest clearance of (1/16" to 1/8") from their respective rods.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com

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QUESTION: Your advise was spot on; clear, consice and friendly. Took about ten minutes to adjust the hammers. Clock now chimes perfectly and sounds marvelous.
The clock is running about two (2) minutes fast daily. I believe that I see where it can be adjusted. However, I'd feel much more comfortable with the process if you'd be kind enough to explain exactly how to properly make such adjustments. The adjustment screw is at the top right of the movement looking at the back of the movement. There is a stamping just below the adjusting screw that appears to indicate that the screw should be moved counter clockwise in order to make the clock run faster. Thanks for your response.

Answer
Hi again Dick,

The Hermle markings are somewhat confusing. You are correct that counter-clockwise = faster. The arc with "10 s/d" is 1/6 of a full turn, therefore a full 360 degree turn should equal one minute per day change.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com