Expert: William J Perkins - 12/28/2010

Question
I recieved a used emperor grandmother clock as a gift...it keeps superb time but neither chime works. The outside weights seem to be the same measurement...so switching them probably isn't the answer. I do not know when it was last cleaned or oiled. Oiling is probably something left to an expert??? By reaching in from the back - top...I was able to trigger something that makes the hour strike go off...but then it does not continue to do it on its own. When the hour hand is moved, each quarter hour makes a click sound...what else could I try?

Bryan

Answer
Switching the position of the weight could very well be the answer to one, or, perhaps, all of your problem.  Remove the weights from your clock.  One weight should be much heavier that any of the others.  This weight MUST be hung on the right side of the clock, as you face it.  The other two weight should be the same or nearly the same, so it does not matter how you hang them.  This arrangement is crucial.  If the proper hanging of the weights does not do the job, I suspect the clock needs cleaning and passably repair.  Contact a local clock repair person for assistance.  Regards WJP