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Clocks, Watches/Ridgeway Clock Won't Chime
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Question
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Picture attached.
Many thanks,
Jim
Hi Jim,
It's hard to tell the problem from the picture; I can't see the chime selector lever at all. There are two likely possibilities. I'll describe the first briefly, but from your description your problem is more likely the second.
The chime mechanism may occasionally jam in mid-chiming. If this is the case, you will see that one or more hammers in the row of chime hammers (the ones on the right side of the movement, as you look at the clock) are raised to strike, or partially raised. This causes the pinwheel to jam, and the chime selector lever becomes loose and falls to its lowest position. To remedy this, lift the entire row of chime hammers back at the same time, as if ready to strike the chime rods. The pinwheel should snap back into place, and the problem will be solved.
The other possibility is that the chime lever's connection to the chime mover (the stepped piece clearly visible in your photo) has come loose. In this case, the only thing holding the selector lever in place at all is the slot in the dial; if it were not for the slot, the lever would just hang down vertically. The selector lever is fastened at its inner end to the front movement plate by a screw and washer. This connection is probably still intact. At a point near the chime mover, the selector lever has a stud on its back side. This stud goes through a slot in the front main plate, then through the bottom hole in the chime mover, then is held by a washer and an E-clip which snaps into a groove in the stud. It sounds like the E-clip and washer have come off, and the stud has slipped out of the hole in the chime mover. It is very possible that you can find these two parts by looking around inside the clock. If you cannot find them, E-clips and washers are available in assortments from clock supply houses, but should also be available at any good hardware store. I would recommend getting either an assortment or a selection of sizes, as correct size is deceptive with E-clips until you actually snap it into the groove in the selector stud. By the way, E-clips are notoriously difficult to snap into place (giving them some colorful nicknames); they often fly off and get lost in the attempt to install them, so some patience and extra clips may be required. http://www.clockmasteronline.com
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Martin Many thanks for your thorough and detailed response. The hammers had jammed. I failed to notice this when looking at the mechanism because it was only slightly raised, but your response put me on to the solution! The clock is now chiming happily again. Jim | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Martin Meyer
Expertise
Can answer repair and service questions for most types of clocks, antique and modern, mechanical and battery. NO watches, appraisals, identification, history, dating, or questions about cuckoo clocks. Website for Modern and Antique Clock Repair: Clockmasteronline.com
Experience
24 Years as owner and repairman of clock repair business, 28 years in the field. Factory Independent Service Center for Howard Miller, Ridgeway and (formerly) Sligh Clocks. Specializing in Fine Antique Longcase (grandfather) clocks. Clock repair Website: (Please remove "Not" from the address - this is a spam protection): www.NotClockmasteronline.com
Organizations
AWCI (American Watchmakers and Clockmakers Institute) and NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors)
Publications
Am also an Expert in the "AllExperts-Antiques-Antique Clocks" Category.
Education/Credentials
Trained by a former Rolex Asia watchmaker, and by a Master Watchmaker/Clockmaker.
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