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Question
Have a 1974 300M Movement in a kit I built. Has been oiled yearly. Recently the hour chime only strikes once each hour. The hour "hook" on the inside front of the movement does not move to set the correct hour. Is there a set screw loose or is the a major breakdown? Thank you for your help!
Ron, as you have probably deducted, the hour strike is set by the rack tail falling down on the snail to position the rack to lift the number of teeth to be lifted. The strikes continue until the hook drops down at the end of the rack and stops the strike sequence. Either there is a bind in the rotation of the rack inhibiting it from dropping. It could be that the pivot point needs cleaning and lubricating. Or there could be a mechanical problem. To allow the rack to drop, there is a star cam on the minute shaft with a high lobe that actuates the lifting lever which lifts the long lever and subsequently lifts the rack hook out of the way so the rack can drop. If any of these parts are worn or out of adjustment, the hook will not clear the rack. As the strike sequence has been initiated, it will strike one time. The fix might be an adjustment of carefully forming one of the levers or one of them could require replacing. The other cause could be that the gathering pallet pin is not rotating out of the last tooth to allow clearance for the rack to drop. This could be an adjustment of the rotation position of the gathering pallet. However, if the pallet arbor bushing in the front plate is worn excessively, this would possibly result in the same condition. These are just some causes I can think of off the top of my head. Let me know what you find.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
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Answers by Expert:
John Newman
Expertise
As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.
Experience
One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.
Organizations
Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Committee
Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.
Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology
Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)
Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama)
Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)
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