Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 8/23/2009

Question
I moved and took my grandfather clock weights, etc apart and wrapped them safely.

Now I cant figure out how to put it back together.  More specifically, I cant seem to get the chains back up onto the gears?  Actually, I now have two of the three chains positioned properly, I believe.  The third chain, in the center, I cant seem to get it up and around the gear?  Can you help?

Answer
bit of a challenge - but if you want to try ....
I hope you have two side access doors or panels on the left and right of the dial on the sides of the case? Remove them--if the chains have round wire rings NEAR the ends, bend and remove them. if you start the end of the (that you do NOT hook the weight on) over the top outside of the ratchet chain wheel (silver) you can then push the chain wheel and it will click and ratchet and allow you to push the chain over the wheel and eventually the end will appear below the movement where you can grab it.
 The middle ratchet wheel is a bear. Remove the non- hook end piece on the chain using pliers by bending open the last link. Using a suitable wire or pipe cleaner or such with a hook bent on the following end- using a flashlight bend and hook the wire up and over the shaft holding and nearest the silver ratchet chain wheel in the middle.Note first which way the wheel will ratchet for you like the side ones. Then with luck you can hook the wire over the shaft and down and hook the end of the chain onto the wire and pull the chain up and over the shaft so you have both ends and then with you finger start the chain on the ratchet wheel and pull on the non hook end of the chain to force it up and over the wheel itself. put the end back on the chain. Alternate plan is to remove the movement from the clock and feed the chain thru while the movement is upside down in your hand.