You are here:

Clocks, Watches/broken chime rods and lost weights

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/2/2009


Question
I made a grandfather clock from an Emperor kit 20 years ago for my son.  The clock was moved to Ireland several years ago and the rods were broken and the weights misplaced. The numbers on the movement are 377693 and UW030158.  Numbers on the chime rod is B122/20.

My question is, can the rods be replaced and weights repurchased for this unit?  The movement still seems to function when some weight applied to the chains.

Thanking you in advance for your help.

Answer
Duane, the chime rods can be replaced. but it might be prudent to obtain a complete chime rod assembly, which is available.  To change chime rods you have to purchase a tuned set and removing the old screw plugs can be troublesome in some cases.  They are really wrenched into the block tightly at the factory.  When I change them I have to put the iron block assembly in a vice and I have a special screwdriver that fits the slots perfectly and has a round cover on it to keep it centered with a good purchase on the screw plug.  Sometimes I have had to drill some out and rethread (special tap) the holes.  When ordering a chime rod assembly there are some slightly different units available.  Sometimes the mounting holes in the sound board or sound box have to be relocated.  I have talked with one of the suppliers and was told that they don't always know what they are going to get in those units.  

The weights are also available.  However, the costs for the lead fillers for the weights and shipping has increased significantly in the last few years!  The weight shells would be 60mm in diameter and 245mm long with the fillers being 7.75# for the strike and time weights and 8.5# for a Westminster movement or 9.5# for triple chimes.  For your clock there are standard fillers that weigh 7.5#, which would probably work.  Supplemental weight would have to be added to the 8.5# or 9.5# fillers. These can be purchased in 1/2# or 1# units.  I make up a lot of weights and purchase additional larger fillers and cut them to the appropriate weight sizes with a horizontal band saw.  

Being 20 years old, it is possible that your Urgos movement might need servicing to bring it back to running condition.

Let me know if I can help you further.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama  

Clocks, Watches

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.