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Clocks, Watches/Clock keeps stopping

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Expert: - 10/19/2010


Question
Hi John, I have a purchased a wooden cased mantle clock with a Perivale movement, the suspension spring for the pendulum was broken and part of it was missing. I purchased 3 different lengths from a supplier as I do not know the original length.I have tried the new ones but the clock will not keep running. It tick tocks for about 10 seconds then stops. I have removed the mechanism from the case to see if there are any other broken parts but I can not see any.Should there be any additional springs on the pendulum mechanism to assist with the swing? I would love to get it working as the clock is very nice and has a lovely chime. Any help would be appreciated.
Kind regards,
Chris

Answer
Chris, evidently the ss (suspension spring) is probably not the problem.  However, you must have the correct suspension spring for it to run at the proper rate.  A ss that is too thin will allow the pendulum to swing further than normal and the time between the oscillations will increase, causing the clock to run slower.  If the spring is too thick it will decrease he swing and cause it to run faster.  If it is excessively thick, it possibly will stop the clock.  The characteristics of the ss have to be fairly to the originally specified unit.  Do you know if the clock ran before you purchased it?  Below is an excerpt from my instruction on diagnosing a clock that is not running:

For Mantel Clocks:   The clock should be stable and not wobble or rock.  When the pendulum swings, it should be "in beat", meaning that when the pendulum swings you hear an even tick....tock....tick....tock.  If it is uneven, like tick..tock......tick..tock, the clock will probably stop.  If it is out of beat, there should be an adjustment to set this.  However, there is an easy way to correct this if the out-of-beat is not too  excessive.  You can shim up one side of the clock or the other to obtain the even beat.  This method works if it isn't too bad.  If it is excessive, other adjustments have to be made.  If this doesn't do it there could be quite a few other causes such as old and gummy lubricants and/or worn parts that aren't visible from outside observations.  It might need to be looked at by an experienced clockmaker.  Let me know what you find.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama  

Clocks, Watches

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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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