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Clocks, Watches/Seth Thomas G/father clock [A403-007

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Expert: - 2/27/2010


Question
The pendulum will swing for just a short time when pushed and I can not see any binding as a cause.When the clock chimes on the hour the middle weight stays at the top even after several times pushing the minute hand through the quarter hour chimes to the next hour chiming but the other two weights do move down.   I have leveled clock and the clock workings appear to be dirt free.
        Thank you

Answer
Robert, the movement you have is a Hermle 451-050, 55cm, manufactured for Seth Thomas with their name on it.  You did not give me any information on the history of the clock such as just acquiring it, was it just moved or have you been having previous problems with it.  The clock should be relatively level, but that is not critical.  What matters is that the clock be stable and not rock on the floor.  Also, the movement should be "in-beat" which means that the tick tock is even, like tick....tock....tick....tock.  If it goes, tick..tock......tick..tock, it will eventually stop, depending how far out of beat it is.  There is a hanger and crutch assembly hanging down from the back of the movement.  The pendulum hangs from this.  The assembly can be gently slipped to one side or the other to correct the beat.  I do not have that procedure with me, but if this is the problem, let me know and I will send you the procedure.  Email me at my shop email address below and I will give you some further information.  The weights are working correctly as you describe.  The left one (as you face the clock) powers the strike, the center one is for the running and the right one is for the chime.  If you turn the minute hand through the quarters and hour, the chime and strike are working, therefore the outside weights are dropping correctly.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com

Note:  Because of the number of Allexpert questions and follow ups,
and the excessive backlog in my shop, I regret that I can only answer
the Allexperts related questions in a timely manner.  

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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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