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Clocks, Watches/Hamilton bracket clock #340-20

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Expert: - 1/12/2010


Question

Hamilton
I have read your answer to a previous quesiton concerning a clock running slow after professional cleaning.  Our clock has the floating balance (uses a vertical spiral spring).  I would like to send a photo of the back of the clock where there are two circles on either side of center = the one to the left appears to be a minus and the one to the right is a plus.  Where are the adjustment screws?  There are two screws that appear to go through from the back to the front.  Are these for adjustment?


Answer
Kate, those If you will look closely at the balance wheel you will see a 3-prong device on the surface of the wheel.  To adjust the time, the wheel is stopped and carefully held while the prongs are rotated.  As the + an - indicate, you rotate the prongs to the right to increase the rate and to the left to decrease it.  If your clock was cleaned and started slowing down after the service, I would return it to the person that did the service.  Something in the service process could have upset the balance.  In this case it could be that the adjustment is not going to solve the problem.  Maybe the floating balance was not serviced properly.  I always remove and service them in a different process of cleaning and lubricating.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

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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