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Clocks, Watches/Forestville Mantle Clock

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Expert: - 10/14/2010


Question
I have inherited my grandmothers Forestville mantle Clock, it chimes 4 times an hour, which was a beautiful sound, at first.  There are 3 places to wind, one above the 8, one above the 6, and one above the 4.  Which of the three do I wind, if I just want the hour chime, and keep my beautiful clock running.
Thank you,
Nancy Bics

Answer
Nancy, I don't know the model number of your movement, but most have the same winding configuration.  The left one is for the strike the center for the time and the right is for the chime.  So you would wind the center and right winding arbors and not the left one.  I will advise you that when either the chime or strike mainsprings is not wound, occasionally it will stop in the middle of the chiming or striking and can cause the clock to stop.  If that happens with the strike, just wind it a turn or so and let it run down again.  Then turn the minute hand back a couple of hours (it should strike a little) and then reset it to the correct time.  I have had this happen a few times and it works for me.  Let me know how it goes.

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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