Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 11/17/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello. I found an old regulator/pendulum clock in my house (there's no brand information). To get the time right, I moved the minute hand clockwise so that it would chime through until the right time. Now for some reason the pendulum is stuck and the clock doesn't seem to be functioning right. I'm completely unfamiliar with clocks, so I was wondering if there might be an obvious problem, so that I don't have to take it to a professional. I took off the lid and hands and took some pictures. I can take more pictures if needed. Thanks so much!

ANSWER: of Korean or Chinese ancestory.

see photo attached:

the wheel is supposed to rotate and pick up teeth one at a time on the rack and raise it up till the lever can drop underneath it and shut off the stiking. for some reason the wheel is stuck- try moving it counterclockwise with your fingers and see where the problem is. check the gearing inside that drives the wheel also. you can put the minute hand back on with the nut and rotate the hand clockwise to watch the operation. report back..........



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Okay. Are you sure it is safe to turn it counter-clockwise? I did that, but it made a kind of "clicking" sound when I did that. I'm just sort of afraid of damaging this beyond repair.

Anyways, I took a close up of that area. Do you see anything funny here? There's a little "pole" that comes out of the wheel, which I circled in blue. Should that be touching the rack? Thanks.

Answer
that pin is supposed to rotate ccw and pick up one rack tooth each time till the L shaped lever can drop under the end of the rack and shut off the striking.

see where the clicking is coming from - check the other gears in the train driving that wheel to make sure they are not hanging up or whatever.