Expert: William J Perkins - 9/13/2009

Question
Mother has a clock as listed and a grandchild pulled one of the chains off and out of the clock. How do I get inside the clock to re-attach the chain and weight. I have no problem going inside as I did clocks as a young man and have been a tool maker for years, but I do not want to go inside without a drawing or instructions.
Thank you.

Answer
The easiest way to do this is to use a flexible cable or something else you can push up into the winding gear, that will bend around the wheel as you push it further in.  When the feeder end can be grasp pull it down a few inches and tie the chain to the other end.  Simply pull the cable down untill you can grasp the chain, then pull it down.  You will have restrung the chain.  As a further advice before attemting this job make sure which side of the chain wheel to feed the cable in.  To do this simply take a screwdriver and push on the cog wheel to detiremine direction of winding.  Whichever side of the cog wheel turns freely is the direction you must feed the cable.  This should wor for you.  Regards WJP