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Clocks, Watches/you helped me w/ cuckoo clock
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Question
hey John
this is John , you had been helping me my cuckoo clock this is cuckooing early
I had sent you an email outside of this system as you asked, it was under my work email of not sure if you got it?
I tried what you said: when clock cuckoos (example the clock reads 11;57 and it cuckoos. ) you said to loosen nut, move minute hand foward and retighten.. I did that and what happens is the clock now just is 3 min fast and it still cuckoos 3 min early 1! crazy!! driving me nuts(only because I had it perfect before!)
would it help when it trips is to move the min hand forward w/ out loosening?
sorry to bug you, I am just at a loss!
hope to t/t you soon
John
John, I did receive your email and replied. Here is the reply:
John,I can see why you are confused. When different people tell you about the same thing, it can be interpreted differently. It's probably best to stay with one person. First, I have never heard of a cuckoo clock made by Seth Thomas. Unless they were very rare, most of the cuckoo clocks were made by Hubert Herr or Regula. Their names should be on the back plate of the movement. I'm not sure what you mean by the clock running 3 minutes fast. Is that in an hour or day or what? If it is true cuckoo clock, then the instructions I gave you would apply to it. I will repeat them. Let the clock run up to the hour and strike. So you don't have to rush what you are doing, stop the pendulum. DO NOT turn the hands at all. As soon as it strikes, loosen the hand nut. The minute hand should be loose. Now rotate the minute hand until it points to the 12 and tighten the hand nut. Start the pendulum again and that should be all you have to do. If this doesn't work, can you send me a clear photo of the front of the clock and one of the back of the movement by removing the back panel?
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
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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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