Clocks, Watches/erhard jauch 77

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Expert: - 11/13/2010


Question
built by my great uncle in 1972 gave to my mother and now to me he was a great woodworker and i take after him in that area clock parts i've never worked on. does the weights make a diff. if they are on the hour 1/4 hour or the running of the clock. i can't get the 1/4 hour to work unless i add weight the clock movement will run 15 sec with me adding weight but the pendeilum wont kick it over seems to want to hit side of case but i know for a fact it is the one it came with after all this you know i sould keep to woodworking  please help  

Answer
Jason, the position of the weights is that the strike weight is on the left (as you face the clock), the time is in the center and the chime is on the left.  The factory specs on the Jauch 77 (approx. 5" X 5-1/4" square) movement are all either 4.4# or 4.7#.  I have seen either configuration come from the factory.  If a heavier pendulum such as a Lyre pendulum is swapped for the wooden stick pendulum, sometimes a heavier center weight is used to insure the reliable running.  The Jauch 77 has a history of excessive wear and the first problems usually arise in the chime train, either slowing down or failing.  Adding weight will possibly get it to run for a while, but that just adds to the wear problem and should not be done.  As far as the clock not running more than 15 seconds, it could be that it is out of beat, meaning the tick tock is uneven, sounding like tick..tock......tick..tock.  It has to be adjusted so the beat is even like tick..tock..tick..tock.  Of course the clock should be leveled first so the pendulum does not hit one side.  If the movement is worn to badly, it might be best to replace it.  If you will contact me at my shop email address below, I can send you some diagnostic instructions and give you some more details.

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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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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