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Clocks, Watches/New England Clock runs fast

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Expert: - 9/11/2009


Question
QUESTION: I just brought home a New England wall/mantle clock from and antique store. It runs but Way fast. I can't see any adjustment to slow her down. It says UW 22/4 on the back under the cover.
Any way to adjust it?
Thanks,
Lana

ANSWER: Lana, I have a listing referencing a UW 32/4, but not a UW 22/4.  Will you check that.  I can also do some more research when I return to my shop Tuesday after the holiday.  If it is regulated by a balance wheel, I would need to see a photo of the back of the movement to tell you how to adjust it.  If it has a pendulum, there should be a small round nut at the bottom of the pendulum bob called a rating nut. First the bob should be resting firmly on the nut at all times.  It could be that the bob moved up on the pendulum and is not resting on the nut.  The normal procedure to slow the clock down would be to loosen the nut which allows the bob to move down and slow the clock.  But there could be that there is a problem with the escapement which causes it to skip teeth and run fast.  Another thing could be that someone previously substituted the pendulum and put one that was too short.  You didn't tell me how fast it is running.  I would need to know to know a specific rate like 5 minutes per hour or 5 minutes a day to possibly diagnose the problem.  Get back with me on the above suggestions.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama


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

Back of NE clock
Back of NE clock  
QUESTION: Now I'm having computer problems too. But I'm back. It definitely says UW 22/4. It has a thin metal strip that seems to be acting as a pendulum (It swings back and forth) but there is no nut on it that I can see. It gains 3-4 hours in one hour. If I remember right. Sorry for the lousy pic but it's nighttime. If you want me to try again, I'll take one in the daytime so I can get more even light.

Answer
Lana, photo is fine.  The movement looks to be a very old one, for which I don't have any listing.  However, that isn't important now, as I have the photo.  If it is gaining 3 to 4 hours in one hour I would think it doesn't have a proper pendulu, if one at all.  It's a little hard to see but the thin metal strip looks like it has a pin on the bottom.  The strip would be called a hanger and that is the piece from which the pandulum hangs.  The pendulum would have a hooked part on the top that would have a slot in it to hang over the pin.  The bottom of the pendulum would have a bob which is like a thin round disc.  The bottom of the pendulum would have a threaded part that the nut would screw on so it could be turned up and down which moves the bob to regulate the timing of the clock.  As I do not have any information on the movement I cannot give you any idea on how long the pendulum should be.  It looks like you are going have to take it to a clockmaker to have a pendulum fitted and timed to run properly.  If I have misinterpreted the photo and you do have a proper pendulum on it, the only other way the clock could be running that fast would be for the escapement (the part that rocks back and forth between the plates of the movement and gives a tick tock sound) to be out of the adjustment and the escapement wheel teeth are skipping, causing the clock to run fast.  Sorry I cannot be more specific, but that's all I can tell from your good photo and description.  Let me know what you find.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

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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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