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Clocks, Watches/Howard Miller 155 triple chime runs too fast
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Question
My mother's Howard Miller 155 triple chime, model 610-110, movement UW323166 recently suffered a broken suspension spring. Without the weight, the clock ran extremely fast until the center weight bottomed out in the cabinet. A look at the broken suspension spring parts revealed a prior repair where the pieces were glued together and an additional piece glued behind the original crack to back it up. Best guess was that the repair had taken place seven years earlier after my mother moved and clock was serviced afterwards. Clock kept time very well. A different local factory service rep brazed the pieces back together and now clock runs 10 minutes fast every day. Pendulum has been adjusted down as far as it can go. I have added a small of amount of weight to the back of the pendulum to slow it down to no avail. Any ideas? Thanks!
Keith, the pendulum of a clock is the regulator and the distribution of mass is what controls the rate. Without a pendulum it will run fast. If weight is added to the pendulum, the wieght alone does not slow it down, it is where it is placed. It would have to be placed near the bottom of the bob. But the best way to correct this is to use the proper suspension spring and hanger. The Urgos 32... series movements use different suspension springs. From some limited information I have, the chain movements used a "standard" suspension spring with metal blocks at the top and bottom, and the cable drives used a larger suspension spring with black plastic blocks. I would think that a clockmaker would be able to supply a part rather than repair it. If you can send me a clear photo of the back of the movement with all parts in place, I can see what is wrong and probably find the correct part. My shop email address is below.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com
(Due to the number of Allexperts questions and
the workload I have at my clock shop, I regret
that I cannot answer personal email questions on a timely basis
other than Allexperts follow ups.)
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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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