Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 12/16/2010

Question
This is my son's clock so I have been making him do the "work". We oiled this .  We
oiled the escape wheel and the hanger and loop area. "We tried to start it again
by moving the pendulum but it just slowly stopped. We have never used the clock
very much. I would say that it has not run more than a half year altogether. I
think it may have stopped because we had the clock tilted forward from the wall
because the weights hit a ledge if it was parallel to the wall. We pulled  the weights up and
leaving the pendulum off. That did not work. I am wondering if the weights may
be stuck in the "up" position. I pulled them a little and that did not seem to
pull them down any distance.  Also, there is  of the side. There is an arm on the side
but it seems like something should be hanging from the arm since there is
a little hole at the bottom. The one bellows
that is up  because The shaft that is connected to it will not let it go
down all the way. Maybe it is not not connected right. Maybe we oiled the wrong
wheel. We oiled the wheel towards the top that is easiest to see,. The top of
the wheel is about a half inch below the hanger.  Any suggestions on how to get this clock working again would help.  
I can send pictures if you would like.  I hope this makes sense.  Let me know if not.

Thanks,
Gurubandhu

Answer
lot of possible problems here

the weights are fine

side lever shuts off the striking or trips the striking

the pendulum hooks on a wire that runs up through a little wire loop "foot" in a wire going into the mechanism-- the wire needs to run through the center of the loop and not rub on the back or front of the loop.

with the weights on - moving the pendulum wire left and right should allow the escape wheel to turn and tick?

bellows on the left also has a wire that lifts the cuckoo's tail and it may be caught over the top of the tail or on something?


photo of the inside back would help